The Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) has predicted a likelihood of 10 to 20 per cent above average rainfall across the country. Above average rainfall is expected over Punjab, KP, Sindh, AJK and North East Balochistan.
“Some extreme rainfall events are likely to occur in catchment areas of major rivers which may cause flooding. There is also a high probability of heavy downpour which may generate flash floods along the Suleman Range,” said officials from the PMD while briefing a pre-monsoon conference organised by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday.
“Some heavy downpour events may produce urban flooding in the big cities. Some strong incursions of monsoon currents, coupled with high temperature, may trigger glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), landslides and flash floods in Upper KP and Gilgit-Baltistan,” the officials added.
Sighting the threats of floods posed by the monsoon season, the responsibility mechanism was also presented which defined the role of each department.
According to a spokesperson, NDMA Response Directive has outlined major response guidelines which include community early warning through SMS alerts in districts likely to be affected by floods, coordination of relief stocks held with all PDMAs and DDMAs, resource mapping, completion of flood protection works before 30 June 2016.
Pakistan Army Engineers Directorate also informed participants about the army’s preparedness measures in support of civil administration. Resource capacities of UN agencies across Pakistan and their coordination mechanism was also shared.