Brace for heavy rains as powerful new monsoon system enters Pakistan today

ISLAMABAD: A powerful new monsoon system is set to enter Pakistan today, bringing heavy rains across Punjab and Sindh until August 29.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a fresh alert for more monsoon rains in Punjab starting today. Heavy rains are expected in Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Mianwali, Sargodha, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rahim Yar Khan, with the potential for flooding in D.G. Khan, Multan, and Bahawalpur divisions.

Heavy rainfall is expected across Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Thatta, Badin, Sajawal, Shaheed Benazirabad, Jamshoro, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tharparkar, Nagarparkar, Islamkot, Mithi, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Matiari, Sanghar, and Sukkur, accompanied by thunderstorms.

Ghotki, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Khairpur, Larkana, Jacobabad, and Naushahro Feroze may experience strong winds, intermittent showers, and possibly severe thunderstorms, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

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In Southeast Sindh, heavy rainfall could lead to flooding in low-lying areas, disrupt daily life, and cause damage to weak infrastructure such as mud houses, walls, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels, with potential road closures.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has also warned fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea between August 27 and 30 due to the possibility of rough waters. In anticipation of the heavy rainfall, Karachi has declared a state of emergency, cancelled all municipal staff leaves, and Mayor Murtaza Wahab has instructed municipal services to remain on high alert.

Monsoon system in Pakistan is also likely to hit other regions, including Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Balakot, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Kohat, Orakzai, Hangu, Waziristan, and Kurram, are also expected to receive rain, with varying intensities, said the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

In Balochistan, areas like Barkhan, Musakhail, Loralai, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Nasirabad, Jafarabad, Lasbela, Khuzdar, and surrounding regions may see thunderstorms and rain in some places. In Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a chance of rain.

NDMA WARNS OF LANDSLIDES

NDMA has also anticipated more rain and thundershower in KP, AJK and GB from today till Thursday.

In a press release today, the NDMA said heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in hilly areas and flood may also occur in low laying areas of Gujranwala Division, Lahore Division, Sahiwal Division, Twin Cities , Attock, Murree, Galliyat, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Jhelum, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Khanpur, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar in Punjab, and Malakand Division, Hazara Division, Peshawar Division, Mardan, Swabi, Hangu, Karak,Kohat, Orakzai, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Kurram, Waziristan Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may experience rainfall with heavy downpour.

It further said heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in hilly areas.

Flows in local nullahs and river tributaries may increase during the forecast period.

The NDMA urged all relevant authorities and the public to take necessary precautions to mitigate the potential impacts of flooding in low lying areas and landslides in hilly areas.