Islamabad: With the Ravi and Chenab rivers already overflowing and vast tracts of Punjab submerged, the Pakistan Meteorological Department on Wednesday warned that more heavy monsoon rains are likely to lash upper and central parts of the country from August 29 to September 2, threatening to further aggravate the flood emergency.
The advisory said strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal will penetrate northern regions from Thursday, while a westerly wave will approach upper and central Pakistan from Friday, bringing widespread rain and scattered heavy to very heavy falls in several parts of the country.
According to the forecast, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to receive widespread rain with scattered heavy to very heavy falls in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from August 29 to September 2, while heavy rains are also likely in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar between August 30 and September 1.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also been placed under warning as districts including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Kohat, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan are forecast to receive heavy downpours during the same period.
Punjab, which is already reeling from devastating floods in the Ravi and Chenab, has been warned of widespread rain and thundershowers with scattered heavy falls in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad and Sahiwal from August 29 to September 2.
Southern Punjab districts including D.G. Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rajanpur and Rahimyar Khan are also expected to be hit by heavy rains between August 29 night and September 2, adding to fears that the Indus floodplain could further swell.
Sindh is not likely to be spared either, with rain and thundershowers predicted in Tharparkar, Mithi, Umerkot, Jacobabad, Sukkur, Larkana and Dadu on August 30 and 31, while parts of northeastern Balochistan including Barkhan, Musakhel, Loralai, Sibbi, Zhob, Kalat and Khuzdar are also expected to receive heavy rainfall from August 30 to September 1.
The Met Office cautioned that these rains could cause flash floods in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, northeast Punjab, Murree, Galliyat, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi and Mardan, while urban flooding is feared in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan.
The fresh warning has heightened concern as the Ravi and Chenab rivers are already in high flood following days of torrential rain in Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan’s Sialkot region, with floodwaters inundating large swaths of agricultural land and villages in Punjab and threatening downstream districts of Sindh.
Officials fear that further heavy downpours could overwhelm embankments, spread devastation across more districts, and displace thousands more families who have already been forced to flee their homes.
The advisory also warned of landslides and mudslides that may block roads in vulnerable hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir, while heavy rainfall accompanied by windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures such as kacha houses, electricity poles, vehicles and solar panels.
Authorities have directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert and to take precautionary measures as the situation remains precarious.
The public, travellers and tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to vulnerable areas and keep themselves updated about the latest weather conditions, as Punjab and Sindh brace for another wave of flooding amid already swelling rivers and forecasts of more rain in the coming days.
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