Karachi: Sindh is bracing for a strong and heavy spell of torrential rains and thunderstorms from September 7 to 9 that could unleash urban flooding, trigger flash floods, and paralyse major cities, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned on Thursday.
According to the advisory, a powerful low-pressure system hovering over Madhya Pradesh, India, is moving westwards and will hit Rajasthan and adjoining parts of Sindh by September 6, unleashing strong monsoon currents across southern Pakistan.
The Met Office said the system will dump widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall across almost the entire province, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sajawal, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Sanghar, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Jamshoro, Dadu and Kashmore.
The PMD warned that torrential rains could inundate low-lying areas of Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Thatta and Badin, raising the spectre of urban flooding and chaos on roads. “Heavy downpours, strong winds, and lightning may damage weak structures such as kacha houses, electric poles, billboards, solar panels and vehicles,” the advisory said, urging all civic agencies and provincial authorities to remain on high alert.
Meteorologists further cautioned that relentless rains in already waterlogged districts may exacerbate the misery of flood-hit populations, with flash flooding feared in Dadu and other districts connected to hill torrents. The threat of massive disruption looms largest over Karachi, where poor drainage, overflowing nullahs and fragile infrastructure have repeatedly turned rain into a deadly disaster.
The weather office also warned that between September 7 and 9, Sindh’s highways, towns and villages could face widespread blackouts, road blockages and damage to communication networks as thunderstorms intensify. People, travellers and tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary movement and to remain updated about the latest situation through official channels.
“All concerned authorities are advised to remain on high alert and take immediate measures to avert any untoward situation during the forecast period,” the PMD spokesperson said in the stark warning.
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