ISLAMABAD: The Met Office has predicted another spell of rainfall next week, which may help increase water level in Rawal Lake as well as raise the groundwater table.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has said hot and humid weather is expected in most of the country as a result of seasonal low lies over north Balochistan with the trough extending eastward.

These conditions will bring rain and thunderstorms to isolated parts of Kashmir and adjoining areas, due to the collision of warm and moist winds from the east with the western Himalayas.

The next round of rainfall is likely to be brief, and mainly centred on the hills of Murree and Galiyat, though some parts of the twin cities are likely to receive precipitation as well.

The last bout of rainfall increased the water level in Rawal Lake to 1,735ft, which is comfortably over the dead level of 1,708ft.

“We are expecting more rain in the coming two to three weeks, which will help take the water to the peak level of around 1,742ft,” an official of the Punjab Irrigation Department posted at Rawal Lake said.

Widespread rainfall is expected from July 22, which will help improve water level in major water reservoirs in the country.

The current water level in Tarbela Dam is 1,387ft compared to dead level at 1,380ft. Mangla Dam currently has 1,122.6ft of water compared to its dead level at 1,050ft.

The Indus River System Authority said on Saturday that Tarbela Dam is expected to reach dead level today (Sunday).

According to the region’s traditional calendar, the monsoon will be begin in around a week with the start of the month of Sawan, followed by the month of Badhon. It is therefore expected that heavy rainfall will begin in around 10 days.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned civic organisations to be prepared for water-logging and flooding in cities and towns.

The NDMA advised timely clearance of sewerage and drainage systems in major cities such as Rawalpindi, Lahore and Peshawar, issuing alerts to people living in and close to river plains and water courses, raising public awareness with regards to vacating dangerous building, staying away from electricity wires and avoiding swimming during the rainfall.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2018