Islamabad: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning for possible urban and flash flooding in various parts of Pakistan from August 1 to August 6, 2024, due to heavy monsoon rains expected across the country.
According to Press Information Department, monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are set to affect the upper parts of the country starting July 31 and will move towards the central and southern regions by August 2, 2024. This system is likely to bring widespread rain and thunderstorms, with torrential rains anticipated to cause flash flooding in local streams and nullahs of multiple areas including Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, and several districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Additionally, heavy downpours could lead to urban flooding in low-lying areas of major cities such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Peshawar between August 2 and August 5, 2024.
NDMA has instructed Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) and other relevant departments to be on high alert and prepare for emergency responses. Measures include pre-placing machinery and ensuring staff availability in vulnerable areas. Local departments have been urged to educate residents near riverbanks about the increased risks and to coordinate timely evacuations based on existing plans. The public has been advised to exercise extreme caution, avoid weak structures and waterlogged roads, and stay informed through the NDMA’s newly launched Pak NDMA Disaster Alert application, available on mobile platforms.