The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast heavy monsoon rains across Sindh over the next 72 hours, warning that the inclement weather may cause flooding in certain districts of the province.
The advisory issued today said that, “A series of powerful monsoon winds is affecting the North-Central and Eastern and North-Eastern regions of Balochistan,”
Intermittent thunderstorms were forecast in the districts of Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Kishore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Larkana, Qamber, Shahdadkot, NowshahrDafiroz, Shaheed Benazirabad, MirpurKhas, Umarkot, Sanghar, Jamshwar and Dadu. The advisory predicted that the weather pattern would remain until August 19.
The department also said that heavy downpours and thunderstorms could be expected until August 19 in Tharparkar, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Meyari, Tand and Muhammad Khan, Kand and Amiyar, districts of Sajawal and Andhi in Karachi Division.
In Sindh, a total of 49 millimetres of rainfall was recorded. Rohri saw the most rainfall, recording 16mm, while Hyderabad Airport saw the least with only 1mm recorded. Other districts and cities reported either trace rainfall or none at all.
An image of a weather radar shows a monsoon weather heading southwest over Sindh. — Photo courtesy Pakistan Meteorological Department
Water was expected to accumulate in low-lying areas including Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Kashmore, Jacobabad and Shikarpur, causing flooding. Moreover, the PMD said downpours, high winds and lightning may cause weak structures like roofs and walls in mud houses to collapse and damage electric pylons, billboards, vehicles and solar panels among other items during the forecast period.
Farmers were advised to “manage their activities keeping in view the weather forecast”, while the relevant authorities were put on alert to respond to emergencies.
Meanwhile, an advisory from the Flood Forecasting Division warned of “rain of moderate to heavy intensity with scattered very heavy and isolated extremely heavy falls” over Sindh, along with Zhob, Sibi, Kalat and Makran divisions in Balochistan and Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan.
