ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province on Wednesday issued a high alert for heavy rains and possible flooding, warning that the seventh spell of the summer monsoons is forecast to be stronger than earlier phases and will persist through much of next week.
Pakistan’s government has reported over 300 deaths and 1,600 damaged houses due to the floods, heavy rain and other weather since June 26.
On Wednesday, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said “widespread rain-wind/thundershower (with scattered heavy falls at times very heavy) is expected” in upper Punjab from Aug. 13 to 17, with showers spreading to most plains districts from Aug. 18 to 21.
Areas at risk include Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Kasur, Faisalabad, and Sahiwal, among others.
“More rain-wind/thundershower is predicted in the country in coming days; monsoon activity is likely to intensify during the upcoming week,” the PDMA advisory said, citing the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
