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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday forecast heavy rains and thunderstorms across Karachi and other parts of Sindh from today till July 18, citing the low-pressure in Northeast Arabian Sea and Rann-of-Kutch.
It said that persistent heavy rain spell may trigger hill torrents and flash flooding along and downstream Kirthar range.
The current spell of monsoon rains, which has claimed over 160 lives since it started earlier this month, also resulted in four more deaths on Thursday — three in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Met Office, in a notification issued today, said that a low-pressure area had been persisting over the Northeast Arabian Sea and the adjoining Rann of Kutch, extending up to Southeast Sindh.
“Under its influence, widespread rain-thunderstorms with few heavy falls are likely to occur in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Sanghar, Nawabshah, Naushero Feroze, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Dadu, Jamshoro, Shikarpur, Ghotki, and Kashmore districts till 18th July,” it stated.
Isolated heavy and intermittent rains with thunderstorms were also predicted over the weekend in Karachi Division. In addition, humidity would be between 50 per cent and 60pc, while northeasterly and easterly winds were expected to blow.
The department also warned that heavy falls could generate urban flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas of Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Dadu, Jamshoro, Nawabshah, Jacobabad, Larkana, and Sukkur districts.
Furthermore, sea conditions were expected to turn rough and fishermen had been advised to remain careful. “All concerned authorities are requested to remain alert/vigilant and take necessary measures,” PMD added.
The Sindh government has already imposed a health emergency across the province and has directed the authorities to establish control rooms at all the district health offices and hospitals.
In anticipation of more rainfall, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued instructions to the relevant ministries, departments, and provincial governments to remain watchful and take all necessary precautionary measures to deal with any untoward situation.
