ISLAMABAD – The monsoon fourth spell rains is set to begin tomorrow across the country, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in several regions of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan.
The PMD said that some areas of Punjab, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also likely to receive rain today.
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a high alert to all district administrations, as flood-like situations have already developed at various points along the Indus River.
Heavy rains predicted in Punjab
A PDMA spokesperson stated that from July 20 to 25, heavy rains are expected in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Jhang, Sargodha, Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Multan.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia warned that rainfall has already caused low to moderate flooding in the Indus River at Tarbela, Kalabagh, and Chashma, with the possibility of high flooding at Chashma.
Floodwater enters populated areas in Piplan, crops destroyed
Floodwaters from the Indus have entered nearby areas of Kalabagh including Kamar Mushani, Mudatwala, Chhina Pura, Kacha Gujarat, and Dhingana. Thousands of acres of crops have been submerged. Rescue authorities have evacuated 223 people and 162 livestock to safer locations. At Jinnah Barrage, water inflow was recorded at 296,629 cusecs while outflow was 289,079 cusecs.
Overcast skies in Karachi, light rain likely
Karachi is under cloud cover, with light rain expected today. The PMD reported that the city’s current temperature is 31°C with 72% humidity. The temperature may rise up to 35°C, with sea breezes blowing at 11 km/h from the southwest.
Rain, cool temperatures in KP’s mountainous areas
Rain is likely in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, Malakand, Abbottabad, Battagram, Shangla, Haripur, Kohistan, Torghar, and Mansehra, according to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Met Office.
On Monday, Kakol recorded 14 mm of rain and Balakot 3 mm. The lowest temperature was recorded in Malam Jabba at 13°C and 17°C in Kalam.
Heavy rain forecast in Balochistan
Most parts of Balochistan remain hot and humid. However, heavy rainfall is expected in Barkhan, Sibi, Musakhel, Zhob, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Awaran and surrounding areas.
Maximum temperatures were recorded at 41°C in Sibi and Turbat, 46°C in Nokundi, 36°C in Chaman and 33°C in Gwadar and Jiwani.
Punjab reports 123 deaths in Monsoon season
The PDMA said that since the start of the current monsoon season, 123 people died and 462 injured in Punjab due to various rain-related incidents.
Moreover, 150 buildings have been damaged. The causes of death included lightning strikes, electrocution and drowning while bathing and collapse of unsafe structures.
The PDMA and other concerned agencies urged the public to stay away from rivers, streams and other dangerous areas during heavy rain and to call Rescue 1122 in case of any emergency.
