ISLAMABAD: A flash flood warning has been issued in major parts of Pakistan as strong monsoon rains and thunderstorms are expected to affect the upper catchments of all major rivers this week, the National Disaster Management Authority said on Thursday.
Pakistan is prone to seasonal flooding during the monsoons and because of the extra flow of water into its rivers due to fast-melting glaciers. Floods also pose a major financing challenge to the country’s fragile economy, causing an estimated annual economic impact of up to 4 percent of the federal budget.
The monsoon rains, which deliver 65-70 percent of Pakistan’s annual rain, have not been evenly distributed and cause rivers to overflow, resulting in flash floods.
“High to exceptionally high flood is likely in River Jhelum at Mangla upstream ... in river Chenab, Indus, and Kabul,” the NDMA said in a statement.
This forecast is based on rainfall reported in the last 24 hours in different parts of the country and on the situation of rivers.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rains, wind, and thunderstorm in the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces as well as the country’s northern areas till July 27.
On the basis of the weather forecast, the NDMA has recommended that all relevant provincial departments remain on high alert and ensure timely clearance of sewerage/drainage systems in major cities including Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, and Peshawar.
“A complete contingency plan is in place in all four provinces and northern areas to deal with any threat of flash floods,” Saqib Mumtaz, a media deputy director at NDMA, told Arab News.
He said that people living close to river plains and watercourses had been issued timely alerts to vacate dangerous buildings, stay away from electric wires and avoid swimming during rains, especially in underpasses.
“All provincial health departments have also been advised to ensure pre-placement of necessary staff and medicines where required,” Mumtaz said, adding that provincial disaster management authorities were also in touch with the army to provide backup if need be.
In 2010, unprecedented flooding affected over 20 million people and caused a financial loss of around $10 billion for recovery and reconstruction, according to the Global Facility for Disaster Reeducation and Recovery.