Heavy rains hit Mirpur, submerging low-lying areas

MIRPUR: Torrential rains lashed Mirpur and its outskirts on Monday, turning various low-lying areas into ponds and flooding seasonal nullahs with the rainwater.

The monsoon rains have hit various parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, breaking the heat spell. However, the heavy rains have led to partial loss of materials to be used for under construction in different parts of the southern Mirpur district.

The downpour has also led to landsliding and road blockages in sectors of New Mirpur City. The water has caused cracks in several residential buildings, including including in Sangoat and areas close to Mangla Lake.

Construction workers and kiln owners are among those most affected by the heavy rains, as they have been forced to abandon work on under-construction projects, costing them their livelihoods.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast heavy rains, thunderstorms, and hailstorms coupled with flooding from July 4 to 8 in various parts of the country.

During this period, heavy rainfall runs the risk of further triggering landslides in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Murree, Galiyat, Gilgit-Baltistan and the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Met Office said.

The Met Office has also predicted heavy rains from July 4 to July 7 with the risk of flooding in low-lying urban areas in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala and Lahore.

Potential flash floods are also forecast in the hilly areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and adjoining areas of northeast Balochistan from July 6 to July 8.

The PMD has cautioned farmers to carry out their activities keeping in view the weather forecast. It has advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel during the wet spell.

It said that loose structures such as electric poles and solar panels may be damaged during heavy falls and the general public have been advised to stay away from risky places during the period.