In the eighth spell of monsoon, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an alert forecasting heavy rainfall in Karachi and Hyderabad from August 24 to 28, warning of potential risks of urban flooding, power outages, and service disruptions.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Hyderabad is likely to experience heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning, which increases the risk of urban flooding.
Heavy downpours in Karachi last night:
Several areas of Karachi also experienced heavy downpours last night, which left the city’s busiest MA Jinnah Road submerged.
The Meteorological Department reported that the highest rainfall was recorded in Gulshan-e-Hadeed at 32 millimetres.
Other areas, including Malir, Memon Goth, DHA, Defence, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Keamari, Orangi, University Road, Masroor Base, Nazimabad, Scheme 33, Bahadurabad, Saddar, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, and the Airport vicinity, also received heavy showers. Reports indicated that drainage has still not been completed in many parts of Karachi.
NDMA's special advisory for Karachiites:
The NDMA advised citizens to take necessary precautions during the expected spell of heavy rainfall. People were urged to avoid flooded roads, maintain a safe distance from electric poles, and use electrical appliances with caution.
Residents were also advised to check drainage systems to prevent water accumulation and, especially in low-lying areas, prepare emergency kits with essentials such as water, food, torches, and first aid supplies.
Sutlej River floodwater enters Pakpattan villages:
Meanwhile, in Punjab, the water level of the Sutlej River rose near the district of Pakpattan, and raging waters entered the village of Ameer Sohara, destroying crops and submerging fodder for livestock.
The affected villagers appealed to the government for fodder and vaccines for their animals.
Three dykes damaged, ready crops destroyed
The sudden rise in the water level in the Sutlej River in the Kehror Pakka areas of the district Lodhran has led to a flood situation, resultantly three dykes, inlcuding Chakri, Do Moi, and Toka Mukhi have damaged.
Due to the dykes break, hundreds of acres of ready crops of cotton, corn, and sesame were submerged in water and destroyed.
A powerful 36,000 cusecs of water is currently passing through Dera Dilawar Pattan, which has started wreaking havoc on a large scale in the riverbed in Kahrodapakka. People are transporting their goods on local boats with their own help.
Clouds cover Lahore:
According to the Meteorological Department, no rainfall is expected in Lahore today. However, the provincial capital will experience partly cloudy weather with sunshine throughout the day.
The city’s weather will remain hot and dry, with winds blowing at six kilometres per hour and humidity expected to reach 85 percent. The minimum temperature is forecast at 28°C, while the maximum may reach 36°C.
Reporters: Salman Saleem, Ramsha Ismail, Mohiyyuddin, Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, and Faran Yamin