Staff Reporter
Islamabad
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has asked the relevant authorities to take precautionary measures to avert loss of life and damage to property in Sindh and East Balochistan to likely flash floods expected in next three days. A weather alert issued by the spokesman of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) says that the monsoon rains predicted from Thursday to Saturday could trigger flash flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad and other major cities.
The relevant authorities including Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs),District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), Districts Administration and provincial Irrigation Department should remain fully alert and ensure pre-placement of road clearing machinery and necessary staff to deal with any emergency in an effective way. People should stay home and avoid unnecessary visits during heavy rains.
Peoples must keep themselves away from electricity poles and other power infrastructures during rains to avoid any safety hazards. Fishermen in coastal areas of Sindh and Makran should not venture into the sea in view of the depression prevailing in the sea. Deep-sea fishing has to be completely avoided as the sea is predicted to be rough with high tides and high-speed winds, said the NDMA spokesman.
Widespread rain/wind-thundershowers, with isolated heavy to very heavy falls were expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Tharparker, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Tando Allah Yar, Matiyari, Tando Muhammad Khan, Jamshoro, Dadu and Shaheed Benazirabad during the next 24 hours. Scattered rain-thundershowers with isolated heavy falls are also expected in Bahawalpur, Rahim yar Khan, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Kambarshahdad Kot, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Ghotki, Kalat, Jaffarabad, Jhalmagsi, Khuzdar, Lasbella and Awaran on Friday and Saturday.
During the last 24 hours, hot and very humid weather prevailed over most parts of the country. However, rain-wind-thundershowers occurred in Kashmir, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The rainfall recorded during the last 24 hours was Kashmir: Muzaffarabad 19mm, Punjab: Karor (Layyah) 10, Sialkot 09, Bhakkar 01. Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa: Saidu Sharif 02, Dera Ismail Khan 01 mm.
The highest maximum temperature recorded during the last 24 hours was 46 C in Sibbi and 44 C in Sukkur and Dadu. NDMA has also instructed to follow COVID 19 strictly in case of mass gathering or rescue operations to avoid transmission of this pandemic among the mass interactions. The authority has also emphasized the need to apprise the tourists about the weather forecast and ensure availability of staff of emergency services during the period.
Relevant departments may issue necessary instructions to stakeholders in the light of fresh weather forecast and update the NDMA twice daily in case of any eventuality, the authority stated.