PMD warns of floods, landslides nationwide

Punjab on high alert as rains threaten vulnerable areas

LAHORE:

LAHORE
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides and damaging windstorms across parts of the country through Monday, prompting authorities in Punjab to activate emergency response measures and place relevant departments on high alert. 
In a weather advisory issued on Saturday evening, the PMD said heavy rainfall during Sunday night and Monday morning could trigger landslides and flash flooding in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir. It also warned that strong winds and lightning could damage weak structures, including solar panels, electricity poles and billboards.
According to the PMD, moist currents from the Arabian Sea are penetrating the upper and central parts of the country, while a westerly weather system is also affecting northern regions.
Rain accompanied by windstorms and thunderstorms was expected on Sunday in Kashmir, K-P, Punjab, Islamabad and G-B, with isolated heavy falls likely. Similar weather is forecast on Monday for Kashmir, upper K-P, northeastern Punjab and G-B, while isolated rain and thunderstorms are also expected in northeastern Balochistan and southeastern Sindh during the evening and night. Hot and humid conditions are expected to persist in other parts of the country.
The PMD said widespread rain and thunderstorms were recorded during the previous 24 hours across K-P, Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir and G-B, while hot and humid weather prevailed elsewhere.
Among the highest rainfall totals recorded were 59mm in Kakul, 57mm in Hafizabad, 41mm in Narowal and 40mm at Saidpur in Islamabad. Other notable rainfall was recorded in Rawalpindi, Murree, Lahore, Sialkot, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Mandi Bahauddin, Muzaffarabad and several districts of G-B.
Meanwhile, Turbat recorded the country’s highest maximum temperature at 49°C, followed by Dadu at 46°C and Sibi at 45°C.
The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) also forecast monsoon rain in most districts of the province over the next 24 hours and directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert.
Rain is expected in Rawalpindi, Attock, Murree, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Vehari, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah and Bhakkar.
The PDMA said commissioners and deputy commissioners across Punjab had been alerted. Rescue 1122, WASA and other emergency agencies have also been directed to remain fully prepared to respond to any emergency.
The provincial control room and district emergency operation centres were monitoring the situation round the clock. Authorities had been instructed to ensure the immediate drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas and known waterlogging points.