LAHORE:
The authorities of all Pakistan issued flood alerts while the heavy rains of the monsoon whipped multiple regions, fans of rivers and threats of generalized damage to crops, infrastructure and communities.
The National Authority for Disaster Management (NDMA) warned that torrential downpours are expected to continue until August 30, with Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir will probably be more affected.
The Indo River has already increased to media flood levels in Guddu Barge, while the Sutlej River continues to increase after the water releases of India.
In Ganda Singh Wala, the Sutlej reached a high level of flood, with water registered in more than 130,000 cusecs and a depth of 21.3 feet. The authorities warned that the increase could affect at least 72 nearby villages, with thousands of agreed land acres already submerged.
Local reports say that embankments in several places have broken and immersing crops worth millions of rupees. In the Kasur district, the villages such as Nagra Aimanpura, Mabuki, Basti Ibrahim, Mahiwala and Fattiwala have been cut, with interrupted communications and the residents who fight to reach a safe land.
The authorities warned that sudden floods could flood low areas and trigger landslides in mountainous terrain.
According to the NEOC, three rain systems are expected to enter the country during this period, probably triggering generalized downpours and raising flood risks in vulnerable areas.
From August 23 to 25, torrential rains accompanied by strong winds in Islamabad, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, with urban floods feared in low areas and landslides probably on mountain terrain.
The districts of the northeast of Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Atock, Jhelum, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Sialkot, Gujrat, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin, must receive strong rains.
Urban floods are also anticipated in Lahore, Faisalabad, fine, Gujranwala, Nareowal, Talagang and Chakwal.
In southern Punjab and adjacent areas, the torrents of the hill can increase in Dera Ghazi Khan, Dera Ismail Khan and Rajanpur due to heavy water flow. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is expected to experience intense rains from August 23 to 27, with sudden floods probably in currents and landslides that threaten the mountainous regions.
NDMA confirmed that the aid operations in the affected regions are actively monitoring, with all relevant institutions on high alert to manage possible emergencies.
The authorities have warned that more rains can trigger additional landslides and urged the public to remain attentive and adopt security measures.
Tourists have been advised to avoid trips to the areas of the north due to high risks of heavy rains and landslides.
The Provincial Authority of Disaster Management (PDMA) in Punjab said that the eighth spell of the Monzón, which will last until August 27, is bringing generalized rains in the key districts, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Finen, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala and Bahawalpur.
The authorities placed emergency services on maximum alert, urging residents to avoid crossing vulnerable rivers and currents.
In Lahore, Rawalpindi and fine, urban floods are afraid as drainage systems fight to deal with the downpour.
