NDMA issues flood warning amid heavy rain forecast in Sindh, Punjab

Coastal flooding may also occur along Makran’s coast and in low laying areas of Dadu, Hyderabad, Badin and Shahdadpur district of Sindh

By News Desk
August 25, 2024
People wade across a flooded street after heavy monsoon rainfall in Karachi on July 25, 2022. — AFP
People wade across a flooded street after heavy monsoon rainfall in Karachi on July 25, 2022. — AFP

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) on Saturday issued warning to relevant departments to stay alert in anticipation of torrential rains in Sindh and Punjab from August 26 to 29.

“A strong system is active over parts of Sindh and may result in heavy downpour in short duration while in most parts of the Punjab, including the Potohar region, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Multan isolated rainfalls are expected intermittently,” it stated.

The authority warned that torrential rains may generate flash flooding in local nullahs/streams and hill torrents of DG Khan Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan.

Meanwhile, coastal flooding may also occur along Makran’s coast and in low laying areas of Dadu, Hyderabad, Badin and Shahdadpur district of Sindh.

The NDMA, in its statement, urged all relevant authorities and the public to take necessary precautions to mitigate the potential impacts of flooding and heavy rains.

It also instructed the departments to alert Emergency Response Teams and mobilised resources to ensure a swift response to any arising situations.

The public is also advised to remain vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities.

The advisory came a day after the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted heavy downpours in the southern parts of the country including Karachi from August 26 to 29.

A low-pressure weather system that is currently located over west Bengal is likely to move westwards during the next couple of days, the Met Office said, adding that the weather system would bring strong monsoon currents in the country’s southern areas on the night of August 25.

The low-pressure system will cause heavy rain and winds, along with thundershowers, scattered as well as isolated very heavy showers from the night of August 25 to August 29 with occasional gaps.