Pakistan’s largest city on alert over fears of urban flooding amid monsoon rains

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned that the ongoing spell of moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to trigger flash floods in the low-lying areas of Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, as monsoon rains continue to lash several parts of the country. 

Torrential monsoon rains in Pakistan killed at least 38 people last week in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab provinces. Heavy to moderate rainfall in several parts of the country has triggered urban floods and landslides, prompting the NDMA to warn citizens to exercise caution during the fresh spell of rain. 

In an advisory issued on Sunday, the NDMA warned that scattered moderate to heavy rainfall is expected to take place in several parts of Karachi from August 4-6. 

“Low-Lying areas of Karachi Division are expected to face urban inundation during the spell,” it said. 

The authority advised people to keep track of weather updates and alerts, warning citizens to ensure their gutters and drainage systems are clear so that water does not accumulate on the streets. 

The authority urged people to avoid walking, swimming, or driving through flooded waters, advising them to use alternative routes to avoid flood-prone areas. 

“NDMA has issued instructions to all relevant departments to take necessary precautions to mitigate the possible effects of flooding and extreme weather,” it said. 

Last week, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) warned of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), flash floods, and landslides in the country’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and KP areas from August 3-6. It also said that high to very high-level of flash flooding is expected in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. 

Pakistan is recognized as one of the world’s worst-affected countries due to climate change impacts. The South Asian country has experienced torrential rains, droughts, and heat waves that have become more severe and erratic over the past couple of years.

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 at least 30 million people.

In June, a UN official warned that an estimated 200,000 people in Pakistan could be affected by the upcoming monsoon season, which is expected to bring heavier rains than usual.