The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned citizens against urban flooding in Karachi and other parts of lower Sindh from Tuesday till Friday due to rain caused by strong monsoon currents. Other parts of the country will also receive light to heavy rainfall, the weather department predicted.
According to the Met office, strong monsoon currents are likely to penetrate southern parts of the country, while moderate currents in the upper parts and Kashmir region from Tuesday to Friday.
It said widespread rainfall with thunderstorm is expected at isolated places in Hazara, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Faisalabad, DG Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad, Kalat, Quetta, Sibi, Zhob, Naseerabad, Islamabad and Kashmir region, whereas hot and humid weather is expected elsewhere in the country in the next 24 hours.
The weather department said that heavy rainfall may cause urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas divisions on Wednesday and Thursday, adding that flash flooding is also expected in the vulnerable Nullas/streams of eastern Balochistan.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government has directed the authorities concerned to ensure that preparations are in place to tackle any emergency situation in case of flooding. The municipal and relevant authorities have been told to make sure that drains and the city’s sewage system are properly cleaned to prevent clogging.
The provincial capital, Karachi, has experienced intermittent rain spells over the past week that have claimed over five lives and caused severe drainage and electricity issues.