Punjab Rivers
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Authorities across Pakistan are preparing for another spell of rain and thunderstorms expected to affect several regions starting today (Monday).
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted rainfall accompanied by strong winds in multiple parts of the country, including the Malakand and Hazara divisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), southern Punjab, Sindh, eastern Balochistan, and areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The PMD’s detailed national forecast indicates that Islamabad could experience rain and thunderstorms later at night. Meanwhile, in KP, although most districts are likely to remain hot and humid, scattered rainfall along with thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected in several districts, including Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Kurram, and Waziristan.
In Punjab, southern urban centers such as Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan are predicted to receive rain and thunderstorms. However, the overall weather across the province will largely be partly cloudy and humid.
The rainfall is expected to spread to northern Punjab cities including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, and Lahore during the nighttime.
Sindh has already witnessed moderate to heavy rainfall in some areas, and more precipitation is anticipated. The PMD named Mirpurkhas, Mithi, Tharparkar, Badin, Sujawal, Umerkot, and several other districts that are likely to see rain accompanied by thunderstorms, with heavy downpours expected in parts of the province.
In Balochistan, while most areas will remain hot and humid, rainfall is forecasted for districts like Barkhan, Sibi, Kohlu, Musakhel, Killa Saifullah, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Nasirabad, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, and Lasbela. For Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, partly cloudy weather is predicted with occasional rain and thunderstorms, and isolated places in Kashmir may receive heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, the country’s Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) issued a separate alert highlighting a likely “moderate to strong monsoon activity” over the upper catchments of major rivers. It specifically warned of medium to high-level flows in the Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi rivers and their associated nullahs between July 22 and 24.
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday released distressing statistics regarding the toll of this year’s monsoon season. So far, 135 people have lost their lives, and 478 have been injured due to monsoon-related incidents in Punjab. Fatalities include 99 deaths from building collapses, 19 from drowning, 12 due to electrocution, and five from lightning strikes.
In light of the upcoming weather, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia urged all district administrations to remain vigilant and on high alert for what he described as a “dual threat.”
He warned of both urban flooding in cities and flash floods in riverine areas, cautioning that heavy rainfall in the upper catchment regions could cause dangerous water level rises in the Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus rivers from July 22 to 24.
In response to the ongoing monsoon crisis, the Punjab government has activated its compensation policy, offering financial assistance ranging from Rs 1 million to Rs 5 million to the families of those who have lost their lives during this monsoon season.
