ISLAMABAD, JULY21: Due to the projected severe monsoon rains from Monday to Thursday, the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMA) of Sindh and Punjab have issued warnings about the possibility of flash floods in a number of their respective cities.
Cities under risk of flash floods include Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, and Toba Tek Singh, among others, according to a notice posted by the PDMA Punjab on social media platform X.
The warning stated that strong winds and rain could damage solar panels, electric poles, billboards, and mud dwellings.According to PDMA Punjab, “heavy falls may generate flash flooding in local nullahs and streams of Murree and Galliyat on July 23rd and 24th.” The organization also mentioned that on the same dates, urban flooding could occur in Punjab’s low-lying districts due to heavy rainfall.In addition, the divisions of Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, and Gujrat are anticipated to receive monsoon rainfall.
In order to avoid any unfortunate scenarios during the wet spell, the PDMA recommended travelers and tourists to use caution and arrange their travels according to the weather.It was also suggested to farmers to plan their operations based on the weather forecast.
The PDMA Punjab has instructed Rescue 1122 services to maintain a high level of alertness and make sure there is an adequate supply of emergency response personnel and equipment available during the projected period.
In order to guarantee that weather forecasts are distributed on time, Punjabi authorities were also directed to set up an effective communication system that includes phone calls, SMS, and announcements. It has been suggested that pertinent authorities, such as commissioners, DCs, WASA, the Irrigation Department, Rescue, Civil Defense, and other connected departments, remain vigilant.
A data report released on July 13 by the provincial PDMA in Punjab states that last week’s torrential rains caused 14 houses to collapse, 12 persons to die, and 27 injured. The monsoon rains in Punjab from July 22 to July 25 may bring heavy rain and thunderstorms, especially on July 23 and 24 in the southern districts, according to PDMA Punjab Director General Irfan Khatia. The PDMA control room is continuously monitoring the situation, and the water levels in rivers and dams are currently normal.
Similarly, rainfall with the possibility of high falls could cause flash or urban flooding in towns, local nullahs, streams, and river tributaries, according to PDMA Sindh’s weather alert for July 21–27.It was urged that during rainy seasons, people should exercise caution around loose structures such as billboards, electrical poles, solar panels, hoardings, and under-construction buildings.
