Pakistan weather alert: what to know as heavy rains and flood risks rise | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- Heavy rains are expected across Pakistan, particularly from Rawalpindi to Lahore, starting around October 5th, with potential for significant flooding.
- The PDMA has issued specific warnings for October 6th and 7th, predicting rainfall intensity of 50-70mm in north, north-eastern, and central Punjab.
- The recent heavy rains brought relief from heat but also caused a sudden chill, leading residents to adopt winter clothing and habits.
- Ongoing flood damage remains severe, affecting 27 districts, displacing over 612,800 residents, and causing major crop losses in areas like Gujrat and Faisalabad.
- Relief operations are highly active, involving thousands of personnel, real-time digital monitoring, and the establishment of support systems for victims.
Pakistan is bracing for a shift in weather as heavy rains are forecast across regions from Rawalpindi to Lahore starting around October 5th, with the intensity expected to peak on October 6th and 7th, leading to potential flooding. Director General Irfan Ali Kathia of the PDMA issued warnings for residents in vulnerable areas to take precautions as rainfall could reach 50-70mm in parts of Punjab. This new weather system follows a brief period of relief and a sudden chill after a dry spell, prompting residents to prepare for winter conditions. Concurrently, relief efforts are ongoing for devastating floods that have already affected 27 districts, impacting hundreds of thousands of people, damaging vast tracts of farmland, and leading to significant livestock and life losses. Authorities are deploying personnel, conducting real-time surveys, and setting up support mechanisms like relief camps and complaint resolution platforms for the victims.
