Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, 2 other cities: urban flooding, a looming threat

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday warned that the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad could face urban flooding as monsoon rains – from July 3 to 8 – are likely to begin in the country today.

In a statement issued here, the PMD said that moist currents from the Arabian Sea are likely to penetrate esupper parts of the country, and a westerly wave is also likely to enter the upper parts of the country from July 3.

The rains may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, and Lahore from July 4-7, the PMD said.

“The authorities should remain alert”, it added.

The heavy rains could also trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the same period.

From July 3-8, the PMD forecast that rain, wind, and thundershower would hit Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan.

They will also hit Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Mianwali, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, and Toba Tek Singh.

Rain, wind, thundershower with isolated heavy falls are also expected in Barkhan, Loralai, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Kalat, Khuzdar, Zhob, Lasbella, Awaran, Musakhel, D.I Khan, Bannu, Karak, Waziristan, D.G khan, Rajanpur, Multan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sahiwal and Okara from July 5 to 8.

The PMD also forecast that rain, wind, thundershower with isolated heavy falls are also expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad Ghotki, Shaheed Benazirabad, Larkana, Mithi, Chhor, Padidan, Nagarparkar, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Sanghar, Mirpur Khas, Dadu, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, and Karachi on July 7 and 8.

It also warned that heavy rainfall may cause flash floods in hill torrent areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and adjoining areas of northeast Balochistan from July 6-8. “The farmers are advised to manage their activities keeping in view the weather forecast,” it added. It also called upon the tourists to remain extra cautious to avoid any untoward situation during the wet spell.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023