With the start of the second spell of monsoon in Pakistan, the relevant agencies have tightened their monitoring of the weather situation. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) says that a new series of rains will affect the northern, northeastern and some central regions of the country from July 6 to 10, which may cause flash floods in mountain rivers and local flooding at some places.
According to officials, this time the series of rains is not limited to the usual monsoon winds but an active westerly wind system is also joining it, due to which there is a possibility of heavy rain in some areas in a short time. According to experts, this situation can give rise to problems like flash floods, landslides and waterlogging in urban areas.
In its latest alert, the NDMA has said that several river systems of Gilgit-Baltistan may be more affected in the next few days. In addition to the upper reaches of the Indus River, a significant increase in water flow is expected in the areas of Yasin, Ghizer, Kelek, Mintaka and Daril. Those traveling in mountainous areas have been advised to be careful and constantly be aware of the weather conditions.
Similarly, in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there is a risk of flooding in several rain-fed rivers due to rains. Lothko, Daral, Alaai, Palas, Siran, Gomal and other local waterways may be affected by the rains, while there is a risk of damage to the connection roads at some places.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the water level has been predicted to rise in the Neelum, Jhelum, Poonch and their associated rivers. Authorities have instructed people living in low-lying areas to monitor the situation and immediately move to safer places in case of any emergency.
According to the alert, the rain-fed rivers of northeastern districts of Punjab, especially Sialkot and Narowal, while the hilly areas of Dera Ghazi Khan may be affected by local flooding. On the other hand, PDMA Punjab has also predicted thundershowers in most districts of the province until July 8.
According to the department, rainfall of varying intensity is expected in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Murree, Gujarat, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur and other areas.
Meanwhile, in Balochistan, the possibility of an increase in water flow has also been shown in the rain-fed rivers of Zhob, Kangri, Barkhan, Loralai, Mastung and Kalat. The local administration has been instructed to increase surveillance in sensitive areas and keep necessary resources available to deal with emergencies.
Meteorologists say that the pattern of monsoon rains in Pakistan has become more unpredictable in recent years. Extremely heavy rainfall in a short period of time in some areas can lead to urban flooding, damage to infrastructure and disruption of traffic flow, while the possibility of landslides also increases in mountainous areas.
The NDMA has urged citizens to keep an eye on the latest weather information, avoid unnecessary travel, do not go to rainy streams and river banks and immediately follow the instructions of the local administration in any emergency situation.
According to experts, although monsoon rains are considered important for the restoration of water bodies, agriculture and groundwater, taking precautionary measures during heavy rains is essential to protect human lives and property. More alerts may be issued in the next few days depending on the severity of the weather situation, therefore, the public has been advised to rely on official information and avoid rumors.