ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Disaster Management Authority on Sunday warned of urban flooding in parts of the province next month as monsoon rains start from July 1, with 35 percent more downpours expected this year in a country considered one of the most vulnerable to climate change impacts.
Large swathes of the South Asian nation were submerged in 2022 due to extremely heavy monsoon rains and melting glaciers, a phenomenon linked to climate change that damaged crops and infrastructure and killed at least 1,700 people, displaced millions and inflicted billions of dollars in losses.
“Heavy rains with thundershowers are expected in Upper Punjab, Central Punjab and South Punjab,” the PDMA said in a statement, announcing that the monsoons would begin in the province from July 1 and 35 percent rain more rain was expected this year compared to previous years. “Monsoon rains in July threaten urban flooding and hill torrents in South Punjab.”
The PDMA called on the district administration to ensure safety measures were put in place before the rains began.
“Complete cleaning of rivers and drainage arrangements should be made as soon as possible,” the statement said. “Protection of life and property of citizens is the first priority and there is no room for negligence or irresponsibility.”
In 2010, the worst floods in memory affected 20 million people in Pakistan, with damage to infrastructure running into billions of dollars and huge swathes of crops destroyed as one fifth of the country was inundated.
Pakistan has also been in the grips of a heat wave since last month, with temperatures in some regions rising to above 50 degrees Celsius.
