New spell of monsoon rains to lash the country from Friday

Lahore: Relief services have been put on high alert as most parts of the country are likely to receive more downpour from Friday (August 9) due to new the monsoon system, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasted Thursday.

“Strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are likely to penetrate the upper and central parts of the country from August 9., and then central and southern parts from August 2,” the PMD stated.

Under the influence of system, PMD informed that rain-wind and thundershowers with scattered heavyfalls are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, Khushab and Sargodha from August 09 to 12 with occasional gaps.

Moreover, rain-wind and thundershower with isolated heavyfalls is expected in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Khanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bhakkar and Mianwali, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan and Layyah on August 10 in evening and night as well as August 11 with occasional gaps.

In Sindh, several areas in Sindh, including Jamshoro, Umarkot, Tharparkar, Khairpur, Thatta, Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and Dadu, are predicted to experience heavy downpours during this period. The PMD also expects "few heavy falls" in Balochistan’s Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Panjgur, Kech, Kalat, Quetta, Ziarat, and the Makran Coast.

Following the prediction, the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued warning of flood in the catchment areas of the River Indus and Chenab while it also issued high alert for the areas adjacent to drains; Deg and Aik in Sialkot district.

“Emergency and relief services have been put on high alert to address any potential crises during the downpours,” said the PDMA spokesperson in its statement released to media.

The PMD has warned that heavy rains may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Sahiwal and other districts of the Punjab.