ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday said monsoon rains will likely start in the country during the coming week, most probably either on Monday or Tuesday in the upper parts of the country.

All concerned departments are on alert after the Met Office put out a warning alert.

Talking to Dawn, Met Office Director General Ghulam Rasool said widespread construction in Islamabad especially that on hills and drains may lead to urban flooding.

“These are issues related to municipal functions, we can only suggest that there is a need for dredging storm water drains and to stop construction on natural water paths,” he added.

The met office had said before that the monsoon rains will be 20pc heavier than usual this year.

“All concerned authorities are advised to remain alert during the coming week because there is high probability of isolated heavy downpours which may generate flash flooding in hilly terrain and urban flooding in big cities,” the PMD alert reads.

On Friday, the Met Office said widespread rains with isolated heavy thundershowers and strong, gusty winds are expected during the first spell of monsoon in Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fata and Kashmir. Scattered rains and dust thundershowers are also expected in Sindh and Balochistan in the coming week too.

“Monsoon rains are likely to start in the upper parts of the country which will spread towards central and southern parts of the country during the week,” a PMD official said.

The probability of floods has further increased as ground and water bodies are already full due to active pre-monsoon rains.

“Traditionally, the ground is very dry in the months of May and June and there is capacity in ponds, lakes and canals. But this year, active pre-monsoon rains have already filled this capacity,” the official said.

Meanwhile, in order to effectively counter the possible devastation brought by heavy monsoon rains, especially flash flooding and land sliding, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) held a consultative meeting with the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) AJK in Muzaffarabad.

SDMA Director General Zaheerud Din Qureshi briefed the meeting about the preparatory measures undertaken and contingency plans.

NDMA Chairman Major General Asghar Nawaz suggested stocking relief goods, the identification of landslide areas and strengthening community early warning systems in areas including Neelum valley, the upper Neelum valley, Lipa valley and other inaccessible areas.

The NDMA chairman talked about the need for emergency wheat stocking in areas likely to be cut off due to landslide, the engagement of utility stores for pre-positioning food packs in vulnerable areas and the need for timely procurement of relief stocks.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2016