Fresh spell of monsoon likely from today

LAHORE : Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab on Saturday has issued an alert for more monsoon rains across the province from August 25 (today) to 29.

Monsoon rains are expected in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Sahiwal and Gujrat divisions while Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan and Bahawalpur divisions are at risk of flash flooding due to heavy rains. There is a fear of flood rails in the mountains due to heavy rains in Koh Sulaiman and Kirthar range.

PDMA has issued instructions to Commissioners, DCs, Wasa, Irrigation Department, Rescue, Civil Defence and other departments concerned to remain alert. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that an alert has been issued to the administration across the province regarding the weather situation.

The administration in the provincial capital has been directed to take special measures in view of possible monsoon rains on the occasion of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain and Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bhask. The people of the above mentioned areas have been directed to avoid organising concerts in dilapidated roofs and buildings.

Kathia said that the situation is being monitored 24 hours a day in the PDMA control room. The people are requested to ensure the implementation of the government instructions. The people have been asked to stay in safe places to protect themselves from old buildings, poles and lightning and in case of any emergency, call PDMA helpline 1129.

Scattered rain witnessed in city

Scattered rain was recorded in the city here on Saturday while Met office predicted similar weather conditions for the next 24 hours.

Light rain was reported in various city areas at different times. Wasa was on red alert and its field staff was ready to handle any untoward situation. Rainfall was recorded at various cities across the country.

Met officials warned that torrential rains may cause flood/inundation in low lying areas of southeast/lower Sindh from Sunday (today). They further warned that heavy downpour/windstorm and lightning may affect daily routines, and may damage weak structures like roof/wall of Kacha houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, cause disruptions in the roads and solar panels etc during the period.

Met officials said that a low pressure was likely to approach southern parts of the country tonight. Due to this low-pressure weather system, strong monsoon currents were likely to enter in the country (especially southern parts) from Sunday.

Met officials predicted that mainly hot and humid weather was expected in most parts of the country. Rain-wind/thundershower was expected at isolated places in Sindh, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eastern Balochistan, eastern Punjab, Pothohar region, Islamabad and Kashmir while scattered heavy falls (with isolated very heavy) were expected in southeast/lower Sindh during this period.

Saturday’s highest maximum temperature was recorded at Nokkundi where mercury reached 42°C while in Lahore it was 36.2°C and minimum was 27.5°C.