ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan is already experiencing record flooding, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of heavy rains in the coming days in the catchment areas, which can trigger flooding in the Jhelum River.
The NDMA advisory says the fresh monsoon system will be active for five days — from August 29 to September 2.
Heavy downpour could trigger flash floods in Kashmir where the river originates before entering Punjab in Jhelum district. It is in the west of the Chenab River that has already devastating large swaths of the province after nearly 1.1 million cusecs of flood recorded earlier at Marala Headworks — the highest in its history.
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After passing through Marala and Khanki, the Jhelum River is still in extremely high flood at Qadirabad, though the water level is receding there.
But the main deluge is now downstream towards Trimmu in Jhang district.
The Jhelum River meets Chenab at Trimmu while the eastern Sutlej River, which is also in extremely high flood, joins it at Panjnad near Ucch Sharif in Bahawalpur district.
And to complete the river system, Chenab meets the Indus River near Kot Mithan, Rajanpur district.
The Met Office says it is not just the monsoon currents, a westerly wave is also likely to approach upper and central parts from August 30.
FLASH FLOODS, URBAN FLOODING
Under the influence of these meteorological conditions, widespread rain-wind/thundershower (with scattered heavy falls at times very heavy) in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, and upper, central, northeastern Punjab from August 29 to September.
A similar forecast has been issued for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa albeit from August 29 to September 1.
In Sindh, rain-wind and thundershower are expected in Mithi, Tharparkar, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Dadu and Umer Kot on August 30 and 31.
As far as Balochistan is concerned, rain-wind and thundershower (with isolated heavy falls) are expected in Barkhan, Musakhel, Loralai, Sibi, Zhob, Kalat and Khuzdar from August 30t to September 1.
The ongoing monsoon season which earlier deadly flash floods and now riverine flooding after intense downpours has again highlighted how climate change or global warming is affecting both Pakistan and India.
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