Islamabad:
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Tuesday predicted a fresh spell with widespread rain, wind and thunderstorms over most parts of the country in the coming days, with monsoon activity expected to intensify from August 17.
According to Met Office, monsoon streams from the Arabian Sea are continuously entering the upper parts of the country, while moist streams from the Bay of Bengal are likely to strengthen the middle week. A Western wave affecting the region is also expected to intensify from August 17.
Under these conditions, rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected with scattered heavy falls in Islamabad, Kashmir, Upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltista (GB) from August 14 to August 17.
The wet magic form continues from August 18 to 21 in several northern areas, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch and Districts of GB. From 18 to 21 August, widespread rain is expected in KP, with heavy to very heavy falls probably in Dir, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar and Marran.
Southern Districts – Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan – will also experience showers with occasionally heavy magic forms.
Punjab, including Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Faisalabad, are likely to receive heavy rain from 18 to 21 August with scattered activity in southern districts, according to PMD.
Parts of Balochistan, including Barkhan, Zhob, Khuzdar, Gwadar and Panjgur, as well as several SINDH districts such as Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana and Tharparkar, are also expected to see showers between 18 and 22 August.
Glof Alert
Given the forecast, the provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) from KP issued a Glacial Lake outbreak flooding (GLOF) warning, warning of possible flooding in glacier areas of the province. PDMA warned that heavy and intermittent rain could cause glaciers to blow up in vulnerable northern districts, including upper and lower chitral, dir, swat and Upper Kohistan.
PDMA has also warned of landslides and flash floods in local streams and nullahs in these areas advising the public to avoid unnecessary movement near water channels and to refrain from driving vehicles through fast -flowing streams.
National Highway Authority (NHA), Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and Department of Communication and Works have been instructed to remain in standby to road distance and other emergency measures.
PDMA has also launched a public consciousness campaign to inform residents of precautions, while its emergency surgery center remains fully operational. Citizens can report incidents or seek information through the helmet line 1700.
Floods and landslides risk
The PMD Cautioned That Heavy Rains May Trigger Flash Floods In KP, Murree, Galliyat, Northeast Punjab, and Kashmir from August 15 to 21, as Well As Hill Torrents In Dera Ghazi Khan and Eastern Balochistan from August 18 to 21. Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Peshawar and Nowshera during this period.
Landslides and mud glids can interfere with roads in hilly areas of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir, while heavy falls, wind storms and lightning can damage weak structures, electric bars, billboards, vehicles and solar panels.
“Everyone affected is advisable to remain aware and take necessary measures to avoid any inappropriate situation,” PMD said. The public, travelers and tourists have been encouraged to avoid unnecessary journey to vulnerable areas and remain up to date on recent weather conditions.
The death toll is rising
At least 312 people, including 142 children, have died, and 740 others have been injured in flash floods and stormy rain since the end of June, according to updated data from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The dead include 113 men, 57 women and 142 children, while the wounded include 243 children, 209 women and 288 men. NDMA said Deluges, which began on June 26, has left a trace of destruction across the country. (With input from app)
