16 hours ago
Pakistan issues pre-monsoon rain alert from today, warns of urban flooding and damage risks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast pre-monsoon rains across various parts of the country from today, Friday, warning of possible urban flooding and infrastructure damage in several regions.
The alert comes as Pakistan braces for another season of extreme weather, following deadly heatwaves and catastrophic floods in recent years.
Ranked among the ten most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, Pakistan is ramping up preparedness efforts, especially in Punjab, where authorities expect significantly above-average rainfall this monsoon.
'Pre-monsoon rains are predicted in the country from June 20-23 with occasional gaps,' the PMD said in its advisory issued on Thursday. 'Moist currents from Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea are penetrating upper and central parts of the country and a westerly wave is also likely to approach upper parts on June 20.'
The department said dust storms, rain with wind and thundershowers, including isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms, were expected in parts of Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and numerous districts of Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Affected areas include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, Chitral, Abbottabad and Waziristan among others.
Similar conditions were also forecast for Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, and Jacobabad in Sindh province from June 22 to 24.
PMD cautioned that such weather could damage loose infrastructure such as electric poles, trees, vehicles and solar panels, particularly in upper and central regions including Islamabad.
It added that intense heat was expected to ease gradually over the forecast period, advising farmers to plan agricultural activities accordingly.
PMD also warned urban flooding could occur in Lahore, Gujranwala and the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region.
Authorities have urged the public, travelers and tourists to exercise caution.
ABOVE-NORMAL RAINFALL
Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab said on Thursday the province was likely to experience 25 percent more rainfall this monsoon season, with northeastern districts expected to receive 40 percent to 60 percent above-normal rainfall.
'This projection necessitates proactive and coordinated efforts to mitigate risks associated with urban and riverine flooding,' the authority said, adding that all necessary arrangements had been completed to respond to any emergencies.
The provincial government has begun distributing pamphlets to raise public awareness about the dangers of floods, heavy rains and strong winds.
Pakistan experienced devastating floods in 2022 that left more than 1,700 people dead and displaced over 33 million across the country.
Experts described the disaster as a consequence of climate change, after floodwaters destroyed homes, farmland, and public infrastructure, causing financial losses exceeding $35 billion.
