Karachi, [Date]: The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) Chief Meteorologist, Sardar Sarfaraz, has issued a warning to Karachi residents about the possibility of heavy rain over the weekend, which could lead to urban flooding in the port city’s slum areas.
The Met Office announced the onset of monsoon winds in Sindh on Friday, with Sarfaraz stating that these winds may “affect the city (Karachi) from tomorrow.”
According to the PMD, the monsoon spell across the country is expected to last until August 25. Cities in Sindh, including Karachi, Ghotki, Mirpurkhas, Umarkot, Sanghar, Thatta, and Sukkur, are forecasted to experience rainfall with thunder until August 19. Additionally, the PMD’s forecast indicates that Gujranwala, Hafizabad, and Chiniot in Punjab may also be hit with heavy rain, prompting the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to issue warnings regarding urban flooding in these major cities.
NDMA Takes Swift Action on Prime Minister’s Directives
In response to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives, the NDMA has swiftly implemented measures to ensure the safety of tourists and locals in flood-affected areas. In its report to the premier, the NDMA detailed the urgent steps taken to protect foreign tourists in flash flood-hit Gilgit-Baltistan, confirming the safety of two Italians and one Argentinian tourist in the region. These tourists, who were in GB’s Astore area, have been moved to a secure location away from the affected zones.
Efforts are also underway to restore the Feena Bridge, which sustained significant damage due to the floods. The Prime Minister emphasized that it is crucial to ensure that tourists and local residents do not face any difficulties during this challenging time.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sharif issued instructions to the NDMA, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in the provinces, and other concerned agencies to remain on high alert throughout the ongoing monsoon spell. He stated that he will personally monitor the situation through the dashboard until August 25, stressing the importance of emergency evacuations and the preparation of drainage systems to manage potential flooding effectively.
