Pakistan Issues Alert for Heavy Rains as Monsoon Season Claims 111 Lives

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of another wet spell in the country from July 15 to July 17, as the death toll from monsoon rain-floods has reached 111 since June 26.

The fatalities include 40 in Punjab, 37 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 17 in Sindh, 16 in Balochistan, and one in Azad Kashmir. Additionally, 212 people have been injured in rain-related incidents.

The NDMA stated that a low-pressure area over India’s Madhya Pradesh state is expected to impact Pakistan in the next 24 to 72 hours, bringing strong monsoon currents to central and upper parts of the country. A westerly wave is also present over the upper regions.

This weather system may lead to heavy rains and flash floods in various areas including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Dera Ghazi Khan, and northeastern Punjab. Landslides in Murree and urban flooding in low-lying areas of several cities are also possible.

The NDMA urged provincial and district administrations to prepare emergency response teams, ensure rescue machinery availability, and clear drainage systems. It advised people to avoid outdoor exposure during rains and windy weather, and cautioned tourists in mountainous areas to be wary of natural hazards.

The monsoon season, crucial for agriculture and food security in South Asia, typically lasts from early June in India to late June in Pakistan until September. While essential, the season also brings challenges such as flooding, landslides, and building collapses.

Pakistan, among the most vulnerable to climate change, has experienced extreme weather events more frequently. In 2022, devastating monsoon floods affected a third of the country and claimed 1,700 lives. The nation's 240 million residents continue to face the impacts of climate change.

In May, severe storms, including hailstorms, resulted in the deaths of at least 32 people. The changing weather patterns in South Asia pose uncertainties for the monsoon season amidst a warming planet.

According to the source: Arab News.