Says intermittent heavy rainfall between July 7-10 could trigger flash flooding in hill streams and seasonal streams
ISLAMABAD:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the meteorological authorities have issued nationwide weather alerts as an active monsoon system is expected to bring widespread rain and thunderstorms to large parts of the country from Tuesday, increasing the risk of flash floods, urban flooding and landslides.
The NDMA, citing an assessment by its National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC), said no large-scale river flooding was expected despite an expected rise in water levels in the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers.
However, intermittent heavy rainfall between July 7 and 10 could trigger floods in hill streams and seasonal streams, inundate low-lying urban areas and cause landslides in mountainous areas, it added.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said moist currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, coupled with a westerly weather system, would bring rain, wind and thundershowers to Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Islamabad, Potohar region, north and central Punjab, Gilgit-Baltern part of northern part of northern Baltistan.
Sindh is expected to remain mostly hot and humid, though isolated showers are predicted in the upper districts. The PMD warned that heavy rains could cause urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Peshawar and Nowshera.
It added that landslides remain a threat in vulnerable areas of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Windstorms and lightning can also damage vulnerable structures, including electricity pylons, billboards and solar panels.
In Balochistan, active monsoon conditions are expected on July 7 and 8 (today and tomorrow), with thundershowers and heavy rains for Harnai, Loralai, Sibi, Barkhan, Musa Khel, Khuzdar, Dera Bugti and adjoining areas.
Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Naseerabad and Duki are also likely to receive rain, with officials warning of flooding in seasonal streams and water logging in low-lying areas. The NDMA and the provincial disaster management authorities have directed all relief agencies to ensure preparedness.
Travelers have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, especially on mountain roads and near streams, while tourists have been urged to stay away from flood-prone areas and monitor official weather forecasts during the monsoon period.
