Islamabad: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning about intensified monsoon currents expected to affect central and southern regions of Pakistan from July 27 to August 3, 2024. The agency forecasts heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the country’s western and eastern rivers, raising concerns about flash flooding and urban flooding in various parts of Punjab, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ and K), and Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

According to Press Information Department, the incoming monsoon system from the Bay of Bengal is poised to cause significant weather disturbances. Expected conditions include hefty rainfall leading to flash floods in northeastern Punjab—including areas around the Deg, Basemter, and Bein nullahs of River Ravi, and Aik and Palku areas of the Chenab River—as well as in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalkot, Poonch, and other parts of AJ and K. Similarly, regions like Mardan, Swat, Dir, Kohistan, Shangla, and Malakand in Upper KP are also at risk.

Urban areas in northern and northeastern Punjab such as Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Gujrat, and Rawalpindi/Islamabad, along with parts of southern Sindh including Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Sanghar, and Karachi, are expected to experience urban flooding. The NDMA has alerted relevant departments to prepare and mitigate the potential effects of these severe weather conditions.

The NDMA has also released safety advisories urging the public to avoid floodwaters, refrain from crossing fast-flowing rivers, and stay away from weak structures during intense rainfall. It emphasizes that even shallow moving water can be dangerous and has recommended that the public download the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert application for timely alerts and guidelines.