Pakistan: Flash flood alert issued as pre-monsoon rains lash Punjab, GB

ISLAMABAD: In the wake of recent pre-monsoon rains, Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued instructions to Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) and District Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and other parts of the country to remain vigilant as there is possibility of flash floods, landslides and gusty winds in vulnerable areas of the region.

The alert is issued on the basis of Pakistan Meteorological Department’s Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert owing to prevailing weather conditions and rain spells in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The GBDMA has been directed to coordinate with departments concerned to ensure arrangement and pre-placement of necessary inventory and equipment along with availability of emergency services personnel at vulnerable locations.

According to the Met Department glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) risk is looming amid the prevailing weather conditions.

“There is an increased possibility of GLOF/flash floods, landslides and gusty winds in vulnerable areas of GB,” the NDMA advisory underscored.

The departments were also told to forewarn the local community, tourists and travellers in at-risk areas to stay vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel and movement.

Meanwhile, rains and thunderstorms were reported in different cities of Punjab, Khyber KP, northeast Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad. However, the weather remained dry and hot in other parts of the country.

In the overnight downpours in Punjab, five members of a family including two women were killed when a wall of their house collapsed due to strong winds and downpour in Awan Market, Bank Stop area.

According to Rescue 1122, the family members were sleeping when the wall of the house collapsed. Consequently, five persons including Shabbir, Sharjeel, Nofal, Musarat, and Amna died while Bilal sustained injuries.

Likewise, a day earlier, in Jhelum, six members of a family lost their lives as their car crashed into a canal near Sarai Alamgir due to heavy rain on the road.

In Lahore, rainwater submerged low-lying areas, including Garhi Shahu, Garden Town, Wasanpura, Mozang, Ferozepur Road, The Mall, Gulberg and Iqbal Town.

The overflowing rainwater entered many houses located in low-lying areas, where people were seen draining out water from their houses. The Water And Sanitation Agency (WASA) and other civic departments remained busy in water drainage and ‘clean-up’ operations in most affected areas.

Rain also lashed other cities of Punjab, including Kasur, Shiekhupura, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Narowal, Kamoni, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Jhang and Sahiwal, where several incidents of roof collapse were reported.