Islamabad: The National Disaster Management Authority has issued a flood alert due to anticipated monsoon rains affecting multiple regions across the country from today until next Friday. This advisory highlights the potential for significant weather impacts, including flooding and landslides, particularly in vulnerable areas.
According to Radio Pakistan, intermittent rains are forecasted for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising the risk of flooding in the Kabul, Swat, and Panjkora rivers, as well as the Kalpani and Bara streams. Areas such as Nowshera, Malakand, Swat, Dir, and the upper mountainous regions are also at risk for flooding and landslides.
Heavy rainfall is expected in Islamabad and several cities in Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Taunsa, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan. This weather system poses a risk of urban flooding in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, and other urban centers, with low-lying areas particularly vulnerable to submergence.
Rainfall is also predicted for Sindh districts, with Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Thatta, Badin, Larkana, Jamshoro, Nawabshah, and Mirpurkhas expected to receive significant precipitation. The possibility of urban flooding is heightened in these areas, with concerns about water accumulation on roads, streets, and underpasses.
NDMA and relevant authorities are actively monitoring the situation and ensuring timely measures are in place. Local administrations and relevant departments have been instructed to have machinery and pumps ready for immediate drainage operations. Residents in low-lying areas are advised to make arrangements to relocate valuable belongings and livestock to safer locations.