Punjab, KP and Sindh PDMAs warn of renewed flooding as heavy rains loom large

  • PMD warns of tropical depression within 12 hours amid Arabian Sea low-pressure nears Karachi
  • Sindh tells fishermen to avoid deep sea till Oct 3 as province braces for rains, winds up to 55 km/h
  • Punjab faces renewed flood threat as strong westerly system to lash upper districts Oct 5–7
  • KP on high alert as PDMA warns of heavy rain, flash floods, and landslides Oct 2–7

LAHORE/PESHAWAR/KARACHI: Provincial disaster management authorities (PDMAs) of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) issued fresh weather advisories on Wednesday, warning of heavy rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds as two storm systems simultaneously threaten southern Sindh and northern Pakistan — raising fears of renewed flooding after one of the harshest monsoon seasons in years.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a well-marked low-pressure area over India’s Saurashtra coast has drifted westward into the northeast Arabian Sea. Located about 310 kilometers (192 miles) southeast of Karachi, the system is expected to intensify into a tropical depression within 12 hours, with the potential to trigger light to moderate rain in Karachi and 11 other southern districts of Sindh, including Tharparkar, Umerkot, Badin and Mirpurkhas, accompanied by squally winds of up to 55 km/h.

The PMD’s cyclone warning center in Karachi is monitoring the situation closely and has advised fishermen not to venture into the deep sea until at least October 3, citing rough to very rough sea conditions. Authorities cautioned that high winds and lightning could damage vulnerable infrastructure such as mud-built homes, electric poles, billboards, solar panels, and vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Punjab PDMA forecast a powerful westerly system to strike from October 5 to 7, bringing heavy to very heavy rainfall across the upper catchments of major rivers and the northern and northeastern districts of the province.

Officials warned the rains could swell rivers and trigger flash floods, although water levels at major Indus River barrages — Guddu, Sukkur and Kotri — remained normal on Tuesday, with inflows recorded at 137,332 cusecs, 105,430 cusecs, and 265,141 cusecs respectively.

Punjab, the country’s agricultural hub, faces heightened flood risks, particularly after weeks of monsoon devastation. Since June 26, over 1,000 people have died nationwide, and more than 4.7 million have been affected in Punjab alone. Floodwaters have submerged more than 4,700 villages, displaced over 2.5 million people, and wiped out standing crops of cotton, rice, and sugarcane — dealing a heavy blow to the agriculture sector, which supports nearly 40 percent of the national workforce.

In Karachi, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy and humid through the week, with daytime temperatures ranging from 33°C to 36°C (91°F–97°F). Light rain or drizzle is possible until Friday, according to the Sindh PDMA. Hot and dry conditions are likely to persist in districts not directly affected by the storm system.

 

Separately, the KP PDMA issued an alert predicting intermittent rains, winds and thunderstorms across the province from October 2 to 7. Districts expected to see the heaviest activity include Upper and Lower Dir, Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur and Mohmand. Southern districts such as Kohat, Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, and North and South Waziristan have also been warned of heavy downpours with thunderstorms.

The KP PDMA said heavy rains may swell local rivers and streams and trigger landslides in mountainous areas, disrupting roads in districts such as Abbottabad, Battagram, Chitral, Dir, Kohistan, Kurram, Shangla, Swat, Mohmand, and North Waziristan. Vulnerable houses, power lines, billboards, and solar panels are also at risk.

Authorities have directed deputy commissioners, local disaster committees and relevant agencies in all three provinces to remain on high alert, conduct 24/7 monitoring, ensure drainage clearance, prepare emergency supplies, and issue timely warnings to residents, tourists, and travelers. Citizens have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from riverbanks, and rely only on verified information during the unfolding weather emergency.

Saleem Jadoon
Saleem Jadoon
News Editor at Pakistan Today

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