Monsoon rains likely from tomorrow

LAHORE : The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has predicted monsoon rains in Punjab, with strong winds likely in most districts from July 22 to 25.

PDMA’s spokesperson told media on Saturday that heavy rain and wind are expected in South Punjab between July 23 and 24.

The districts likely to be affected include Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujarat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Layyah.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority Director General Irfan Ali Kathia emphasized preparedness, following instructions from the Punjab Chief Minister.

Authorities are advised to ensure drainage systems in cities are clear to mitigate flooding risks.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority control room is monitoring the situation around the clock, urging residents to adhere to safety guidelines and avoid vulnerable areas like old buildings, utility poles, and open fields during thunderstorms.

City receives scattered rain

Heavy to moderate but scattered rain was witnessed in the city here on Saturday while MET office predicted similar weather conditions for the next 24 hours.

The rain started in the afternoon and continued till evening in spans in various city localities including Tajpura, Mughalpura, Airport, Lakshami Chowk, Farrukhabad, Iqbal Town, Pani Wala Talab, Gulshan-e-Ravi, Upper Mall, Chowk Nakhuda, Nishtar Town, Samanabad, Gulberg, Qurtaba Chowk, City, Jail Road and Johar Town (17 mm).

The traffic was slowed down due to rain on Canal Bank Road, Ferozpur Road, Multan Road and other localities.

During the rain, a large number of motorcyclists took refuge under the underpasses of the city resulting in traffic jams.

Many traffic signals were also seen out of order and traffic wardens were not present at the spot to control the traffic manually, which also resulted in jams.

Following the scattered heavy to moderate rain, Wasa’s MD Ghafran Ahmed moved heavy machinery to most affected localities and directed the field formations to immediately start rainwater drainage process. He remained in the field and supervised the operation. Later, MD Wasa visited other city areas and disposal stations of Wasa. Most of the stagnant rainwater on the main roads was cleared till evening, MD Wasa said adding the agency’s field formations were stationed at emergency camps to tackle more rains.

Meanwhile, Met office warned that heavy rainfalls may generate flash flooding in local nullahs, streams of southern, eastern Balochistan. They said monsoon currents from Arabian Sea were penetrating southern parts of the country while a westerly wave was also present over upper parts of the country.

They predicted that mainly hot and very humid weather was expected in most parts of the country. However, rain-windstorm, thundershower was likely in Kashmir, northeastern, southern Punjab and northeastern Balochistan during evening/night. Rainfall was recorded at several cities across the country.

Saturday’s highest maximum temperature was recorded at Jacobabad and Turbat where mercury reached 46°C while in Lahore it was 38.5°C and minimum was 28.6°C.