PM Shehbaz Sharif directs provincial govts to beef up efforts in wake of recent rainy spell

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed the provincial governments to remain alert in the wake of continuing monsoon rainfall which could trigger flash floods in different parts of the country.

The prime minister in a message to the chief minister Sindh said that the federal government would provide all possible support to the provincial government in this difficult situation. The recent rainy spell is lashing Karachi for the last few days, resulting in the monsoon deluge.

The prime minister also directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to fully assist the provincial governments and the departments concerned.

He said the protection of the properties and lives of the people in the low-lying areas should be ensured.

The prime minister also desired that the elected representatives should supervise the rescue and relief activities launched by the relevant departments.

Meanwhile, Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz said the rain intensity is most likely to increase in the evening, adding that the current spell of monsoon rain is likely to continue for the next three days.

The Met official said that the intermittent showers will continue till 12pm tomorrow.

Sarfaraz went on to add that the heavy rainfall may cause inundation, flooding and water logging in low-lying areas.

He maintained that Karachi is expected to receive 130 t0 150mm of rainfall under the current spell.

Most parts of the port city began receiving heavy rainfall around 10am. Clifton, Defence, Malir, areas around the airport, University Road, Sohrab Goth and Gulberg received the most rainfall so far.

“Heavy rains may generate urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Shaheed Benazirabad, DG Khan, Sargodha, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan on Sunday (today) and Monday (tomorrow),” the Pakistan Meteorological Department said in a statement.