By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s climate change minister on Sunday warned of possible floods and landslides as heavy rains with thunderstorms were forecast across the country over the next two days, and urged public and non-government organisations to be ready.
Minister Sherry Rehman said an estimated 0.9 million people could be affected by the rains, especially in Punjab province where the cities of Lahore, Narowal and Sialkot were expected to receive the highest amount of rainfall.
“Urban flooding alerts have been issued for cities and municipal areas with risks of landslides,” Rehman said in a statement. “Coordinated preparedness and proactive responses save lives.”
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said there was a possibility of “severe thunderstorms” and “heavy rainfall” in north and northeastern Punjab, as well as in Sindh, northeastern Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
It also cautioned of urban flooding in municipal areas and landsliding in hilly regions, and advised district administrations to ensure stock-taking, reconnaissance and public awareness in vulnerable areas.
The NDMA said 68 people had been killed across the country in monsoon rains since June 26 while over 120 were injured.
Last week, Lahore received record-breaking rain that claimed dozens of lives and submerged roads in several localities. Eight children were buried alive in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after a landslide hit the Shangla district.
Separately, the NDMA issued an advisory to the local administration and people living along River Ravi after India released around 185,000 cusecs of water from Ujh Barrage. It said low-level floods were expected in plain areas near Jassar.
The Ravi is one of the six rivers that are part of the Indus basin, which is shared by the two nuclear-armed neighbours under a 1960 treaty that gives India control over the eastern rivers and Pakistan over the western ones.
“India has released approximately 185,000 cusecs of water from the Ujh Barrage (into) River Ravi,” the NDMA said on Twitter. “As per flood limits of River Ravi at Jassar, LOW FLOOD in the flood plain areas is expected.”
The NDMA said that last year, India had released 173,000 cusecs of water into the river, out of which 60,000 cusecs had reached Jassar, a town in Pakistan’s Punjab province, causing low-level floods.
“Therefore, as per the commissioner, considering the previous record, approx 65,000 cusecs are expected to reach (Jassar) within the next 20-24 hours,” it said.
The NDMA advised the public to stay informed and follow guidelines from relevant authorities. It said it had issued safety instructions and that local administration in vulnerable areas would be monitoring the situation till July 20.
Relief agencies have set up camps along the river banks and canals to transport residents to safety in case of floods.
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