RAWALPINDI: Monsoon rains will start on June 30 (Thursday) and continue till July 4, and are likely to generate urban flooding.

After the prediction by Met Office, the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) said it would clear the banks of Leh Nullah from garbage in a few days.

RWMC Managing Director Awais Manzoor Tarar on Tuesday visited the nullah on the instruction of the commissioner and inspected the ongoing cleaning operation at different places, including Gawalmandi, Pirwadhai, Katarian and Ganjmandi. He also inspected the cleaning operation at general bus stand Pirwadhai.

Mr Tarar asked the operation staff and sanitary workers to work hard and clean the city with dedication so people will not face any problem during heavy rains.

Leh Nullah to be cleared of garbage in a few days, says official

He said the citizens should follow the slogan ‘My garbage is my responsibility’ and dump garbage in dustbins or hand it over to the sanitary workers.

“We are committed to protecting the citizens from diseases by cleaning up the city. Efforts are being made to clean up the city by using all available resources. The cooperation and commitment of the citizens is commendable,” he said.

The Met Office said moist currents from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal were likely to enter upper parts of Pakistan from June 29 (Wednesday) which may intensify and expand to southern parts of the country by the end of this week.

Under the influence of this system, rain-windstorm/thundershower is expected in Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Okara, Sahiwal and Bahawalnagar from June 30 to July 4. Isolated heavy falls are also expected during the period.

As per the weather advisory, heavy falls may generate urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad from July 2 to July 4 and in Karachi and Hyderabad from July 3 and July 5.

Heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, Galliyat and Murree. The rising temperatures are likely to subside during the forecast period. Windstorms may damage loose structures at vulnerable locations. Travelers and tourists are advised to remain extra cautious during the forecast period. However, rainwater will be beneficial for the sowing of rice crop.

On the other hand, temperature increased in Rawalpindi and Islamabad to 42 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. Electricity loadshedding added to the suffering of the residents in the sizzling heat.

Malik Jawad, a resident of Bostan Khan Road, said the power cuts in the hot weather had put the residents in trouble. He said the frequent power outages also caused water shortage in the area.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2022