Monsoon 2013: PDMA issues successive warning of expected rainfall

Says current spell may affect low-lying areas, settlements along rivers and tributaries.

PESHAWAR:

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Tuesday issued another warning of heavy rainfall across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), asking relevant officials to stay alert for emergencies.

There is a possibility of widespread rain and thunderstorms in Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Malakand, and Hazara division, according to a press release issued by PDMA.

The authority added the current spell may trigger flash floods in urban nullahs and high to very high level flooding of rivers and tributaries, particularly in Budhni nullah in Peshawar and Kalpani nullah in Mardan.



A day earlier, the district administration and irrigation department also issued warnings, asking people living alongside river banks to take precautionary measures.

Met office recorded 16 millimetres (mm) rain in Saidu Sharif, 7mm in Kalam, 10mm in Mardan, 27mm in Malam Jabba, 32mm in Charat, 38mm in Dir and 49mm in Risalpur on Tuesday, while at least 56mm of rain was recorded in Peshawar and adjacent areas, creating difficulties for commuters. More rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours.

Streets, roads and houses in many low-lying areas including Gulbahar, Bhanamari, Kohat Road and Lahori Gate were inundated while several roads in the city were blocked, resulting in traffic jams. Peshawar Municipal Corporation (PMC) cleaning staffers were seen trying to open clogged sewage lines which have caused most of the rainwater blockage.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2013.