NDMA Warns Against Flash Floods and Urban Flooding

On Monday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned that ongoing rains across the country could lead to flash floods and urban flooding in several areas.

NDMA’s advisory added that monsoon currents from the Bay of Bengal are expected to reach the central and southern regions from July 27 to August 3, potentially causing heavy rainfall in key river catchment areas.

It further predicted that the weather system will likely bring heavy to intense rainfall until August 4.

Flash floods are anticipated in several regions, including the northeastern parts of Punjab such as Deg, Basemter, and Bein nullahs along the River Ravi, as well as the Aik and Palku areas in the Chenab catchment.

Other areas at risk include Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, and Bhimber in Azad Kashmir, as well as Mardan, Swat, Dir, Kohistan, Shangla, and Malakand in upper KP.

The NDMA has warned of potential urban flooding in several areas of Punjab, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Gujrat, Rawalpindi/Islamabad, and their surroundings.

Furthermore, southern parts of Sindh such as Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Karachi might also experience similar flooding during this time.

Moreover, the River Jhelum upstream of Mangla, the River Kabul, and its tributaries, and the River Chenab at Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad are expected to experience low- to medium-level flows.

The River Indus at Tarbela and hill torrents in the DG Khan division are expected to see low to moderate flows. On the other hand, the nullahs in Zhob are projected to experience higher water levels.