Fresh monsoon system to reach north and upper catchments from July 29

ISLAMABAD: A broader monsoon spell is expected to develop from July 29 across the upper catchments of the major rivers, Islamabad, upper Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, even as flood conditions remained manageable before July 28, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said.

The weather department said scattered rain, wind and thunderstorms were likely in several parts of the country over the next 24 hours, with risks of hill torrents and urban flooding. It added that no flood-generating rainfall was expected before July 28, but warned that a new phase of monsoon activity would be more widespread from July 29.

River flows and flood outlook

The Flood Forecasting Division said the overall river situation was under control, though water levels had risen in parts of the Chenab and Ravi systems. The Chenab at Marala and the Ravi at Balloki were flowing at high levels, while the Indus at Tarbela, the Kabul River at Nowshera and the Jhelum at Mangla remained at low flood levels.

Over the next 24 hours, the Chenab at Marala and the Ravi at Balloki may increase to low-to-medium flood levels. On the Ravi, Sidhnai remained the station nearest to a higher warning threshold. The division also said the Indus at Kalabagh, Chashma, Taunsa and Guddu was expected to stay at low flood level during the next 48 hours.

Punjab rainfall and local alerts

Rain is forecast to continue in Lahore and several other districts until July 27. In the last 24 hours, Noorpur Thal received the highest rainfall at 115 millimetres, followed by Gujranwala with 107 millimetres and Gujrat with 94 millimetres. Lahore has recorded a cumulative 450 millimetres over the past five days.

PDMA Punjab Director General Umar Abbas Mela directed district administrations to remain on high alert, citing the danger of urban flooding, flash floods in low-lying streams and landslides in the Murree hills. Deputy commissioners were also told to enforce Section 144 around rivers and streams. Under the provincial policy, compensation ranging from Rs1 million to Rs5 million will be paid to families of victims.

Sindh forecast

In Karachi, the Met Office forecast mostly cloudy, hot and humid weather, with light rain and drizzle possible at isolated places over the next two days. For interior Sindh, moderate to heavy rain is likely in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin and Sanghar.

The Met Office said strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea were continuing to affect southern and central parts of the country, raising the possibility of urban flooding as well as damage to vulnerable structures from strong winds and lightning.