Sporadic rains proclaim onset of monsoon
Pakistan
People rejoice at the showers of relief which bring temperature down
More rains and flooding anticipated in several parts of country from July 5 to 7
Islamabad, Lahore and adjoining areas to have intermittent showers
NDMA, flood monitor issue advisories to stay out of harm's way
LAHORE (Dunya News) – A brief spell of rain in several parts of Lahore and adjoining areas on Friday somewhat provided relief to the weather-beaten people.
Rain – light to moderate – was reported from Lakshmi Chowk, Shimla Pahari, Davies Road, The Mall, Chowburji, Mozang, Ferozepur Road and Ichhra.
People rejoiced at the showers of relief which brought the temperature down and mitigated sultry conditions.
The Met office said Friday’s temperature in Lahore would hover around 30 degrees Celsius – a drastic cut from the dreaded 40s which stretches human endurance to its limits.
The weather monitor records 18-kilometre an hour wind speed and 70pc humidity.
The rain, as usual, had its downside. Some of the areas, residential and commercial, faced electricity breakdown or erratic supply.
Read Also: Parts of Lahore face massive power shutdowns after rain
A few days earlier, rain and wind made weather pleasant in several parts of Karachi which has been reeling under intense heat for quite some time. It also rained in Umarkot and Tharparkar.
The country has been in the grip of hot and sultry weather conditions, with temperatures soaring past 45 degrees Celsius in most parts.
Back then the Met department forecast rains in parts of the country from June 26 to July 1.
IMPENDING FLASH FLOODS, URBAN FLOODING
As the rains proclaim the onset of monsoon, the PMD has warned that torrential rains may cause flash floods, urban flooding and landslides in the vulnerable areas from July 5 to 7.
Torrential rains will cause flash floods in drains or streams of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Dir, Swat, Kashmir and hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, it says.
Downpours, officials say, may cause urban flooding in Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Narowal, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Peshawar during the period.
Landslides may disrupt traffic at the vulnerable points of hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to the synoptic situation, strong monsoon currents from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are penetrating upper and central parts of the country. A westerly wave is also affecting upper parts of the country.
WHERE WILL IT RAIN?
Rain-wind/thundershower with isolated heavy falls is expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Potohar region, Islamabad, upper/central Punjab, northeast Balochistan and Kashmir.
Rain-wind/thundershower is also likely at isolated places in Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab.
During the last 24 hours (Thursday), hot and humid weather prevailed over most parts of the country. However, rain-wind/thundershower occurred in Islamabad, Pothohar region, northeast Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Barkhan.
NDMA ADVISORY
The National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) of NDMA forecast rains and floods in many areas of the country.
According to a report, in case of possible release of water from India, the flow of water in the rivers is likely to rise further.
It also issued a warning to the public to avoid crossing flooded areas, while tourists and travellers in particular should be watchful.
FLOOD ALERT
The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) on Wednesday reported that a medium to high level flood was expected in rivers Jhelum, Chenab and Kabul from July 4 to 7.
According to the FFD, the river Kabul at Nowshera was in medium flood whereas all the major rivers were flowing below low flood level.
It added that flows were also likely to increase in the drains of Ravi and Chenab. “Urban flooding risk persists in Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Narowal, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Peshawar,” says FFD.
