Ferozewala battles floods as fresh rains loom

LAHORE A fresh monsoon spell expected to sweep across Punjab from Wednesday (today) has heightened fears of urban flooding, flash floods and landslides, even as dozens of villages in Ferozewala tehsil remain submerged after rising water level in streams left hundreds of families stranded. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast widespread rain and thunderstorms across Punjab and other parts of the country from July 29 to August 5, with scattered heavy to very heavy falls expected in several districts. Monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are likely to penetrate the upper and central parts of the country, while a westerly wave affecting northern areas is expected to strengthen from August 1, according to weather experts.

According to the forecast, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Khushab, Mianwali, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Sargodha, Sahiwal and Pakpattan are likely to receive rain with occasional gaps until August 4, while southern districts, including Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, are expected to receive rainfall from July 31 to August 3. The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has directed provincial departments and district administrations to remain on high alert, warning of possible urban flooding in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan. The PDMA has also cautioned that Murree, Galliyat and other mountainous areas could face landslides, while flash floods may occur in local streams and nullahs in Kashmir, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, along with hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan.

PDMA Director General Umar Mela directed commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure advance preparations, saying rainfall could increase water flows in eastern rivers and adjoining nullahs. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather, stay away from dilapidated and mud houses, seek shelter during thunderstorms and keep children away from low-lying areas, standing water, electric wires and pol…