WEBDESK: Heavy rains are expected in Karachi from August 30 to September 2, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned.
The alert says that parts of Sindh, including Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Tharparkar, Sukkur, Ghotki, Larkana, Jacobabad, Kashmor, and Dadu, may also see rainfall. The NDMA has cautioned that these rains could cause urban flooding in Karachi.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a similar forecast, warning of thunderstorms and showers during the same period. The PMD also expects heavy downpours in northern and north-eastern Punjab on August 30 and 31, including Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Hafizabad, and Mandi Bahauddin. Islamabad is also likely to receive rain from August 29 to September 2.
Last week, Karachi was hit by torrential rains that caused widespread flooding. Whole neighbourhoods had been underwater and rescuers had to evacuate people by boats. The floods destroyed living standards, infrastructure and left a lot of people in need.
The city had received more than 200 millimetres of rain, which broke the roads and stagnant water with sewage. Over a week has passed and many regions are still under water and long power outages are being experienced by residents.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and take precautions during the upcoming rains.
Moreover, the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) has warned that the Indus River at Guddu and Sukkur barrages is likely to reach a “very high” flood level between 4 and 5 September.
In its weekly outlook issued at noon, the FFD said “very high to exceptionally high” flood levels would continue in the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala and downstream, as well as in the Ravi River at Jassar and downstream.
Read more: High level flood warning issued for Sindh’s Guddu, Sukkur on September 4-5: PMD