ISLAMABAD: With heavy rains forecasted across the country, including in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued warnings to residents of riverine areas as bodies of water are nearing their capacity.

An earlier warning was issued to local bodies and the provincial government, in the wake of urban flooding at the start of the monsoon, but the recent warning was issued to people living in the katcha areas of various rivers and large canals.

“The authorities in cities and towns usually are not well prepared to handle the first spells of rain, as most drains and sewerage systems have significant garbage accumulations which blocks water outflow during heavy rain. This worldwide phenomenon is called ‘urban flooding’, where rainwater does not find a way out of the city,” an official from the Met Office said.

He added: “However, the rural and open areas are dry. They not only absorb rainwater significantly, but the reservoirs, including the dams, rivers, canals, streams and ponds etc, fill with water during the early spells.”

Rain, thunderstorms forecasted in scattered locations across country

Since several spells of rain have already passed all over the country, the latest NDMA warning is directed at rural areas.

The authority has said: “Owing to possibility of rain in upper catchments of all major rivers, vulnerable communities along reaches of these rivers, their tributaries & nullahs are to be sensitised for requisite measures.”

Meanwhile, the Met Office has said that seasonal low lies over northwest Balochistan and monsoon currents are penetrating the upper and central parts of the country from the east, which is likely to continue in the upper parts during the next few days.

The Met Office said rain thunderstorms with some heavy rainfall is expected in scattered locations in Kashmir, the Potohar region, central and southern Punjab and in several areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Rain thunderstorms are also expected in isolated places in many parts of Sindh and Balochistan.

In its warning, the NDMA has also cautioned tourists from travelling to areas vulnerable to landslides. A warning has been issued about possible landslides in KP, Azad Kashmir and GB, according to which the vulnerable population in such areas should remain alert and take the necessary preventive measures.

According to data from the Flood Forecasting Division, a low flood situation has been reported at the Indus River, at Kalabagh, Chashma, Taunsa, Guddu and Sukkur.

Kabul River was at low flood in Nowshera, Chenab River at Head Marala while Jhelum River was at low flood at Mangla, with a strong chance of medium flood in the coming days.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2017