Punjab, KP, GB, AJK brace for more rain

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Met­­­­­eorological Department on Fri­day forecast a fresh spell of rain, wind and thundershowers across the cou­ntry's upper and central regions through the weekend, warning of potential urban and flash flooding. According to the Met Office, continuous monsoon currents are penetrating upper and central parts of Pakistan, alongside a westerly wave, bringing downpours from Aug 22 (today) to Aug 23 with occasional gaps. Rain, wind and thunderstorms with isolated heavy downpours are expected across Punjab's major cities and divisions, including Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujran­wa­­la, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Multan. In KP, downpours are expected across the Haz­ara, Malakand, Peshawar, Mar­dan, Kohat and DI Khan divisions. The weather system will also af­­fect the entire Gilgit-Baltistan reg­ion and the Kashmir region, incl­uding Muzaffarabad and Mirpur. While Sindh and Balochistan will mostly remain hot and humid, isolated showers are expected in Balo­chistan's Kalat and Zhob divisions. The Met Office warned that hea­vy rains could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Lahore, Gu­­jranwala, Sialkot, Islamabad, Ra­­walpindi and Peshawar. Land­slides are likely in the hilly terrain of Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir, GB and KP. There is also a risk of flash flooding in storm drains. Web Desk Separately, PDMA Punjab also issued an alert for a seventh spell of monsoon rains from Aug 21 to Aug 23 across the province. According to a PDMA fact sheet, at least 54 people have died and 341 have been injured in rain-related incidents during the current monsoon season. PDMA also noted an increase in river flows. The Indus River is in moderate flood at Kalabagh, with an inflow of 425,000 cusecs and an outflow of 416,000 cusecs. Low-level flooding was recorded on the Indus at Tarbela, Chashma, and Taunsa. Tarbela Dam has reached 100 per cent capacity, while Mangla Dam is 72pc full. Meanwhile, a high-level flood situation was reported at Nala Palkho in Wazirabad, where the water discharge reached 5,800 cusecs. Low-level flooding was also observed in Nala Basantar and Nala Ek in Narowal. PDMA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa said administrators across Punjab have been alerted to take preventive measures against flooding. 'In the event of wind and storm, stay in safe places and avoid unnecessary travel,' Jappa said.