ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday forecasted another spell of rains in upper parts of the country from Wednesday (today) due to the penetration of “monsoon currents” from the Arabian Sea.
According to PMD alert, a “westerly wave” is also likely to enter the country on Thursday (tomorrow).
Under the new spell, it said rains with wind/thundershowers are expected in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Neelam valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from the night of Wednesday to Aug 7 intermittently.
Monsoon currents from Arabian Sea are likely to penetrate in upper parts of the country.
A westerly wave is also likely to enter these areas on 03rd August. Under the influence of these systems#monsoon #Monsoon2023#rain pic.twitter.com/6QCVLuo5Ri— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) August 1, 2023
A similar forecast was issued for Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Chitral, Dir, Sheikhupura, Lahore, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, and Nowshera as well.
The PMD also predicted rains and thundershowers in Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Banni, Karak, Waziristan, Kasur, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang and Bhakkar from Aug 4 to Aug 7 with occasional gaps.
In its advisory, the PMD further warned that the rains could cause flooding in local nullahs and streams in Kashmir, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and GB from Aug 4 to Aug 7.
“Heavy rains may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, and Lahore and may trigger landslides in vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, GB and KP.”
The Met office advised travelers and tourists to remain cautious during the forecast period.
Two killed in rain-related incidents
Separately in its report on Tuesday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said two people had died in rain-related incidents in KP in the past 24 hours while over 200 houses were damaged in heavy showers.
Outlining the situation of roads across the country, the authority said the Miragram-II and Mastuj-Yarkhun roads in Upper Chitral were blocked due to flash floods.
Some portion of the Karakoram Highway was still blocked at Lachi Nullah, Harban and Bhasha, it stated, adding that the KKH was blocked at multiple points in GB as well. Machinery has been mobilised for the early restoration of roads, it added.
The authority further said medium-level flooding was expected to persist at the Guddu and Sukkur barrages in the next 24 hours.
“Hill torrents of DG Khan and Barkhan are likely to remain active and an increase in the flow in rivers and streams of Gilgit-Baltistan and glof occurrence in mountain valleys is likely,” it added.
11 dead in during past week in various districts of Balochistan
Meanwhile, torrential rains and flashfloods unleashed by heavy rainfall claimed 11 lives during the past week in various districts of Balochistan.
The deaths, which include six men, three women, and two children, were reported from Zhob, Khuzdar, Jhal Magsi, Pashin, Dera Bugti, Qila Saifullah, Nasirabad, and Awaran districts.
According to the officials of the provincial body, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), rains have pummelled several districts of the province for the last 15 days due to which many houses were washed away, leaving many homeless in Kharan, Washik and Naseerabad.
To help rehabilitate the damaged houses and infrastructure, the chief minister of Balochistan has approved the provision of Rs150 million as a relief fund to the deputy commissioners of all districts to enable timely help to the people.
Deputy Director PDMA Muhammad Faisal informed that on an emergency basis, the rescue teams of the disaster management authority have rescued 40 families in Kharan and 7 people trapped in floodwaters in Harnai with the help of local relief forces.
The officials say the rain-related damages this year have been comparatively lesser than last year. However, they anticipate more damage if the rains persist.
Due to the recent monsoon rains, the Quetta-Karachi-Sindh-Malani highway has been closed for the past week after the Panjara bridge in the Bolan district was washed away by floodwaters. While Fort Mandu, Harnai, and Sanjawi Road have been restored to traffic after landslides.
