ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities warned on Tuesday of more downpours this week, as monsoon rains are wreaking havoc in several regions of the country.
The rains, which began with the onset of monsoon season in South Asia in mid-June, have already killed at least 150 people in Pakistan, with nearly half the deaths recorded in the country’s south and southwest.
In Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province and the country’s financial hub, a rain emergency was announced on Monday, after large parts of the megapolis were left under water and without power, and at least 11 deaths from rain-related accidents were reported during the day.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered local governments to prepare for downpours that are expected to continue through the weekend.
“PM directs federal and provincial departments to be alert for more monsoon rains in the country from Thursday,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement.
“The Prime Minister directed to closely monitor the security measures of the people across the country including Sindh, Balochistan and South Punjab.”
The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a notification saying that monsoon currents from the Bay of Bengal are “continuously penetrating in upper and central parts of the country,” while another strong monsoon low pressure area is likely to approach on Thursday, and rains are forecast to hit Sindh, Balochistan and southern areas of Punjab.
Cities in Sindh and Balochistan may experience floods.
“Torrential rains may generate urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Shaheed Benazirabad, Jamshoro, Mirpurkhas, Dadu, Umer Kot, Jaccobabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Awaran, Panjgur, and Turbat from July 14 to 17,” the Met said.
Every year, many cities in Pakistan struggle with the annual monsoon deluge. The season normally runs from July through September, but this year began earlier and with much heavier downpours.
