Rains, storms expected from tomorrow
DNA
ISLAMABAD: Amid the forecast of pre-monsoon rains in upper and central regions of the country from June 25 to 30, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday warned of urban flooding in major cities and directed provinces to ensure public safety during this period.
It said the showers could cause flash flooding in Punjab and trigger landslides in the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
A day earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said rain and wind-thundershower with isolated heavy falls were expected in the upper and central parts of the country under the influence of moist weather conditions.
The areas forecast to receive rain with occasional breaks include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, 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.
Meanwhile, Sukkur, Jacobabad, and Larkana may receive rains and wind-thundershowers from June 27 to 28.
In a weather advisory issued today, the NDMA said the prevailing heatwave conditions were likely to subside under the new weather system.
“Heavy rainfall may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, and Lahore from June 26-27,” it stated, adding that flash flooding could be triggered in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur and adjoining areas of north-east Balochistan on June 27.
Moreover, the authority added that duststorms/wind-thunderstorms and heavy falls might cause damage to loose structures such as electrical poles, solar panels, hoardings, trees, and under-construction buildings.
“In the light of the above, all provincial, Gilgit Baltistan, and State Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs, GBDMA, and SDMA respectively) and ICT Administration, National Highway Authority, National Highway and Motorway Police, Frontier Works Organization, Rescue 1122, line departments, ministries, and federal agencies are required to undertake measures as per respective mandates,” it directed.
