Islamabad: Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman urged all public and non-government organisations to remain “Vigilant and ready” as heavy rains with thunderstorms are expected across country over next 24 to 48 hours.

Estimated number of people that may be impacted by rains, she said was 0.9 million. “Highest amount of rainfall will be in Punjab’s cities like Lahore, Narowal and Sialkot. Other provinces have been alerted too for heavy to moderate rain,” Rehman warned, adding that urban flooding alerts had been issued for cities and municipal areas with risks of landslides. She stressed “Coordinated preparedness and proactive responses” saved lives and urged all response teams to stay vigilant. National Disaster Management Authority had earlier cautioned that there was possibility of “Severe thunderstorms” and “Heavy rainfall” in North/Northeastern Punjab, including Lahore, Sialkot and Narowal over next 48 hours.

It said there was potential for thunderstorms and heavy rainfalls in Sindh’s Karachi, Tharparkar, Sukkur, Larkana, Hyderabad, Badin and Shaheed Benazirabad. In Northeastern Balochistan, thunderstorms were predicted in Sibbi, Zhob, Khlu, Killa Saifullah, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Loralai, Dera Bugti and Lasbela.

Similarly, rainfall was expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Malam Jabba and Balakot over next two days.

Published in The Daily National Courier, July, 10 2023

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