ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s disaster management authority this week warned that heavy rains from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1 are likely to trigger floods in nullahs in the urban centers of Punjab and Nowshera and Peshawar cities of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, warning the public and authorities to take precautions to save lives. 

Pakistan’s Meteorological Department on Monday said moist currents from the Bay of Bengal are likely to penetrate the upper parts of the country from Sept. 25, adding that a westerly wave is also likely to approach the upper parts of Pakistan from Sept. 26 which is expected to trigger torrential rains in most parts of the country. 

In a press statement issued on Monday night, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said it anticipates heavy rain with wind and thundershowers in parts of Punjab, KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1. Parts of Sindh are expected to receive rain with occasional gaps from Sept. 26-28, it added. 

“Heavy rainfall is likely to trigger urban flooding in local nullah in urban centers of Punjab while Nowshera and Peshawar cities of KP,” the NDMA said. “Heavy rain may cause landslides in hilly areas of Murree, Galiyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Bunair, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.”

The authority urged administrations and the public to take necessary precautions to mitigate the potential impacts of heavy rains. It issued instructions to all relevant departments to alert Emergency Response Teams and mobilize resources to ensure a swift response to disasters that may disrupt people’s lives. 

“NDMA urges relevant department to ensure pre-placement of heavy earth moving machinery at chokepoints and at-risk regions for managing landslides and restoration of roads,” the disaster management body said. “NDMA advises the public to stay informed and download ‘Pak NDMA Disaster Alert’ mobile app for timely alerts and closely monitor weather reports.”

Torrential monsoon rains from Jul. 1 to Sept. 6 this year killed 347 people, including 175 children and 54 women, across Pakistan while 648 persons were injured as per the NDMA. 

Global organizations, such as the United Nations, see Pakistan as one of the countries most vulnerable to extreme weather and climate change, with floods wreaking havoc in 2022, killing more than 1,700 people and displacing millions. 

Scientists also blame the country’s erratic weather changes in Pakistan on climate change effects. This year, the South Asian country recorded its “wettest April since 1961,” with 59.3 millimeters of rainfall, while some areas of the country faced deadly heatwaves in May and June.