Flood fears mount as rains pound capital

Youth swept away in Islamabad; flash flood, landslide alerts issued

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ISLAMABAD:

A young man was swept away along with his motorcycle in a seasonal stream in the Koral area of Islamabad on Wednesday as heavy monsoon rains battered parts of the country and raised fears of flash floods.

The youth, identified as Mohsin, disappeared while attempting to cross the overflowing nullah. Rescue efforts were still underway late into the evening as rain-swollen waterways in Rawalpindi and other regions surged.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by rain in Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeastern Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at isolated locations. The department warned of further downpours today (Thursday), which could trigger flooding in local streams and landslides in hilly regions.

As a result, there is a risk of flash flooding in local streams and nullahs in Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, D.G Khan, northeastern Punjab, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of Balochistan, including Barkhan, Kohlu, Musakhel, Dera Bugti, Naseerabad, Sibi, Loralai, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Panjgur and Turbat.

Landslides triggered by intense rainfall may disrupt traffic in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir and G-B.

Due to heavy rainfall, low-lying areas in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera and Peshawar may face urban flooding. Citizens are advised to remain cautious.