27 dead as monsoon rains inundate low-lying areas in Punjab

ISLAMABAD: The monsoon low pressure continued pounding the eastern Punjab as well as central parts of the province, as 27 people died in rain-related incidents in the province on Wednesday.

With more heavy rains predicted in the next 24 hours, most of these deaths were reported from Lahore (14) and Faisalabad (6). Around 50 people had also been injured during the same period.

However, BBC Urdu put the figures at 28 deaths and 90 injured.

Sheikhupura received 234mm of rain during the last 24 hours – the period from 5pm on Tuesday to 5pm on Wednesday.

Read more: Eastern and central Punjab feel the brunt of monsoon low

Downpour that first hit Kasur, Lahore and surrounding areas last night around 11pm continued well into Wednesday, as clouds started tilting towards northwest direction.

Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds inundated the low-laying areas in nearly all the urban centres, as the drainage system could not cope with the intense rainfall.

On the other hand, thunderstorms were reported in the areas where heaviest rain had been recorded.

Meanwhile, the chief amounts of rain, other than Sheikhupura, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) recorded at different places during the last is given as:  

Lahore (Shahi Qila) 171, Mandi Bahauddin 168, Okara 165, Hafizabad 127, Jhelum 81, Kotli 60, Kasur 66, Gujranwala 54, Mangla 51, Sahiwal 46, Rawalakot 43, Sialkot (City 44), Chakwal 42, Pattan 41, Kakul 38, Faisalabad 32, Islamabad (Zero Point) 28 and Rawalpindi (Shamsabad) 27.

JHELUM RIVER FLOOD WARNING

Although the low pressure has weakened considerably, latest satellite images show at 8:20pm that dark clouds have now fully recovered the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad as well as the adjoining areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir.

Currently, it stretches from Jhelum in the southeast of the federal capital, thus increasing the chances of heavy downpour in the region.

At the same time, a thunderstorm has developed right from Khushab to Rawalpindi and right at the edge of Islamabad at 8:45pm.

That’s why the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of “Exceptional High Flood” ranging between 350,000 to 450,000 cusecs in Jhelum River over upstream at Mangla.

Moreover, it also says the associated nullahs of Jhelum River may attain “High Level”.

The warning comes as the clouds are now moving in the northwest direction.

Meanwhile, rain-bearing clouds are again developing near Lahore as well as Sialkot separately at 8:40pm.

SYNOPTIC SITUATION AND FORECAST

According to the PMD, the well-marked low pressure area (LPA) over northwest Rajasthan (India) and adjoining eastern Punjab (Pakistan) is now weakened and currently lies over northeast Punjab (Pakistan).

Simultaneously, a westerly wave is also prevailing over upper parts of the country.

Under the influence of these weather systems, strong monsoon currents are penetrating upper parts and likely to persist during next 24 hours.

That’s why the PMD forecast says intermittent rain-wind/thundershower is expected at most places in Kashmir, Islamabad, Pothohar, northeast Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Meanwhile, scattered heavyfalls (at times very heavy) are also likely during this period.

On the other hand, isolated rain-wind/thundershower is also likely in central/south Punjab and northeast/south Balochistan.

Read Next: Urbanisation of farmland threatening food security: Ahsan Iqbal