ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday issued a warning for heavy rainfall and potential flooding across various regions of the country, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Punjab, Azad Kashmir, and parts of Balochistan, for the next two days.
Monsoon rains are essential for replenishing water supplies, aiding agriculture, and supporting livelihoods, especially for farmers in the country. However, these rains also have a destructive side, often triggering flash floods, landslides, and displacement, particularly in vulnerable and densely populated areas.
According to the PMD’s latest weather update, 19 people lost their lives due to rain-related incidents in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi over the past two days. This alarming toll prompted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to be on high alert to deal with potential emergencies caused by the heavy rains and subsequent flooding.
The weather agency forecasted rain, wind, and thunderstorms in several regions, including Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and parts of Balochistan and Islamabad on July 8.
The PMD also warned of possible flooding in low-lying areas, such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera, and Peshawar, due to heavy rainfall.
In addition to urban flooding, the PMD cautioned about the risk of landslides in areas like Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s hilly districts such as Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, and Mardan, as well as parts of Punjab and Balochistan. The rains are expected to cause roadblocks, especially in the mountainous regions.
Several cities in Pakistan have already recorded heavy to moderate rainfall, with Lahore receiving 75mm, Sheikhupura 48mm, and Islamabad 37mm in the last 24 hours. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balakot recorded the highest rainfall at 40mm, followed by Kakul at 31mm. Sindh and Balochistan experienced lighter rainfall, with Badin receiving 4mm and Kalat 17mm.
The PMD has urged the public to stay cautious during the ongoing rains, as heavy rainfall may lead to hazardous conditions, especially in flood-prone areas. Authorities have been directed to remain vigilant, ensuring the safety of citizens, while rescue teams are on standby to respond to any emergencies.
