LAHORE/KARACHI: After days of scorching heat, the country experienced pre-monsoon stormy rains, providing respite from the severe heat wave. However, the heavy showers also brought along the distressing consequences of flooding in various cities across the country on Monday.
Cities in Punjab, including Lahore, Nowshehra Virkan, Malikwal, Narowal, Attock, Sara-i-Alamgir, Kharian, Sagla Hill, Nankana Sahib, Renala Khurd, Sira-i-Mughal, Pakpattan, Manawala, Sialkot, and the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, were hit by cloudbursts.
Additionally, heavy rains pounded several cities in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Torrential rains led to flooding in streams and drains in different areas of Balochistan, KP, and AJK, raising concerns about possible landslides in hilly regions. In anticipation of the monsoon rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a contingency plan has been prepared.
Lahore, in particular, experienced heavy downpours since early morning, resulting in urban flooding in low-lying areas. The inundation of the Punjab capital highlights the inefficiency of the local authorities, as a significant portion of the city remains submerged.
Surprisingly, the deployment of suction pumps to dewater the flooded streets has been delayed despite the continuous heavy rainfall for nearly five hours.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), pre-monsoon rains accompanied by dust/thunderstorms are expected in the upper and central parts of the country from June 25-30, with intermittent breaks.
The prevailing heatwave conditions are likely to subside from June 25 onwards.
The PMD reports that moist currents from the Arabian Sea are penetrating the upper and central parts of the country due to the influence of a westerly wave that entered the region yesterday.
As per their forecast, rain, wind, and thundershowers (including heavy falls) are expected in various regions, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Mianwali, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahuddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, from the night of the 24th to the 30th of June, with intermittent breaks.
Furthermore, rain, wind, and thundershowers, including isolated heavy falls, are expected in Barkhan, Loralai, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Kalat, Khuzdar, Zhob, Ziarat, Musakhel, Dera Ismail Khan, Karak, Waziristan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Multan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, and Okara from the 26th to the 29th of June. Similarly, Sukkur, Jacobabad, and Larkana are likely to experience rain, wind, and thundershowers from
