The National Disaster Management Authority has predicted torrential rain and thunderstorm in Karachi and other parts of the country.
The country’s economic hub is likely to hit with another cycle of urban flooding after rain water lashes out Karachi roads and streets.
From 30th to 31st of this month, heavy rains and flooding situation is expected in the northern and north-eastern districts of Punjab including Rawalpindi, Attock, Jehlum, Chakwal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin.
In Central and Southern Punjab, rains are expected from 29th to 31st of this month, in which low-lying areas may be inundated. Heavy rains in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan may cause flash floods.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rains are expected from Friday to 31st of this month which can cause landsliding in Malakand and Hazara divisions.
As per the NDMA, the current weather system which is active over the upper catchments of the Jehlum is expected to enter Pakistan by Friday, which will persist till Tuesday.
Under the influnce of this system moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in different areas of Azad Kashmir including Kotli, Bagh, Mirpur, Poonch, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Haveli and the surrounding regions. The system can cause localized urban and low-lying area flooding, landslides and flash flooding.
In Gilgit Baltistan, heavy rains are expected from Friday to Sunday which can cause landsliding and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in the districts of Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer and Ghanche.
In Sindh, downpour is expected in the coastal districts, including Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar from 30th of this month to 2nd of next month. Urban flooding is also expected due to possible heavy rains in Karachi
Heavy rains are expected in the districts of Interior Sindh, including Hyderabad, Dadu, Sukkur, Ghotki, Larkana, Jacobabad, Kashmore from 30th of this month to 1st of next.
Rains, with a risk of flooding in low-lying areas, are likely in coastal and eastern districts of Balochistan including Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Lasbela, and Kalat from Friday to 1st of next month.
The NDMA has urged tourists to avoid traveling to northern areas due to possible rains and the risk of landslides.
It is pertinent to mention here that Punjab’s three major rivers, Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej, are experiencing extremely high floods, while floodwaters are moving towards Sindh.
The floods have breached embankments at several locations, submerged hundreds of settlements, and destroyed standing crops. In various incidents, at least 25 people have died, and many others are missing.
This was made worse when India started flooding its rivers, which led to massive destruction in various parts of Punjab.
Rescue efforts continue, and more than 45,000 have been removed to safer areas. Gujrat, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Okara and Pakpattan are the worst-affected districts.
The water flow in the river Ravi at Shahdara is 191,000 cusecs, and this can increase to 200,000 cusecs. Notices have been issued on the evacuation of adjacent settlements, and 22 villages in 5 tehsils of Lahore have already been cleared.
High-level flooding continues at several locations, including Kot Nina, Jasar, and Saifon. In the Chenab River, Marala is experiencing moderate flooding, but the situation is extremely dangerous at Khanqi and Qadirabad, where water flows range from 859,000 to 996,000 cusecs.
More than 50 villages in Submariyal are submerged, and 8 people have died. The floodwaters are expected to reach Muzaffargarh by Friday. In the Sutlej River, Ganda Singh Wala faces an extremely dangerous flood situation, with a water flow of 261,000 cusecs.
