ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday forecast “significant rainfalls” and potential flooding in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Azad Kashmir regions, and storms in the southern Sindh province till July 27.
Heavy monsoon rains have lashed several cities of Punjab and KP this month, with Pakistan’s provincial disaster management authorities (PDMA) warning of potential floods in many parts of the country. At least 24 people were reportedly killed and 80 others injured in Punjab this month in rain-related incidents across the province, official data showed.
The NDMA said in a press release that strong monsoon currents are likely to penetrate from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal in Pakistan’s upper regions over the next 24 hours, resulting in a series of rains across various parts of the country. These rains are expected to continue till July 27, the authority said.
“Thunderstorms and rain are expected tonight in the coastal areas of Sindh including Karachi, Hyderabad, Umarkot, Mirpur Khas, Nawabshah, Sukkur, Larkana Division, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Islamkot, and surrounding areas,” the press release said.
The disaster management authority said it expected heavy to moderate rainfall in Rohi and Rahim Yar Khan districts of southern Punjab. Meanwhile, in KP and Azad Kashmir, the NDMA forecast heavy to moderate rainfall in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, and Dera Ismail Khan areas, among others.
“The rain may cause flood situations in various urban areas, rising water levels in streams and rivers, and landslides in mountainous areas,” it warned.
The NDMA urged Pakistani authorities and the public to take necessary precautions to mitigate the potential impacts of flooding and landslides. It issued instructions to government departments to alert emergency response teams to mobilize their resources for a swift response to untoward situations.
The authority advised tourists against traveling to the areas mentioned above till July 27.
“The public is advised to remain vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities,” it said. “NDMA advises the public to stay informed and download ‘Pak NDMA Disaster Alert’ mobile app for timely alerts and closely monitor weather reports.”
The authority launched the disaster alert mobile application this month, which is available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store. According to the NDMA, the app provides timely alerts, adviseries, and guidelines to the public regarding natural calamities and disasters.
Pakistan is recognized as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change effects in the world. Unusually heavy rains in June 2022 triggered flash floods in many parts of the country, killing over 1,700 people, inflicting losses of around $30 billion, and affecting over 33 million people.
