Islamabad and Punjab districts brace for heavy rainfall
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued a warning of “heavy to very heavy” rainfall across most parts of Punjab and Islamabad from September 1 to 3, cautioning that the downpours could exacerbate the province’s ongoing flood situation.
In its alert, the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) identified Murree, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, and Faisalabad as high-risk districts.
Other districts likely to be affected include Sargodha, Bhakkar, Layyah, Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan.
The NDMA highlighted that rising water levels at Head Marala could increase flood pressures.
Residents of low-lying and vulnerable areas have been advised to stay alert and avoid crossing flooded streams, nullahs, bridges, and submerged roads.
Local administrations have been directed to keep drainage machinery ready and implement protective measures, while citizens are urged to follow safety guidelines and limit unnecessary travel in high-risk zones.
According to the Flood Forecasting Division in Lahore, a well-marked monsoon low is present over northwest Rajasthan, coupled with a strong trough of a westerly wave over northern parts of the country.
It stated that “widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall”, along with torrential downpours, were expected at scattered locations over the upper catchments of Rivers Sutlej, Beas (Upstream of Ganda Singh Wala), Ravi, and Chenab, as well as in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Gujrat divisions in the next three days.
The downpuurs may generate very high flows in the said rivers and its associated nullahs besides producing urban flooding in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Gujrat divisions.
At least 33 people lost their lives, and more than 2 million were affected as severe flooding continues to inundate vast areas of Punjab, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said earlier today.
Providing further details on the damage and ongoing relief efforts, the PDMA chief said that 2,200 villages have been inundated, while 750,000 people have been evacuated from flood-hit areas.
More than 840 people have been killed in various flood-related incidents across the country since late June, while also causing widespread damage to infrastructure and properties.
As Pakistan battles unprecedented floods, concerns are mounting over India’s refusal to adhere to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), with allegations surfacing that New Delhi has failed to uphold its critical duties regarding timely flood warnings.
