Govt Declares Monsoon Emergency As More Rains Expected From Today

The Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman on Friday declared a monsoon emergency as she warned of more rains starting across the country from today.

“Pakistan’s cabinet has declared a monsoon emergency but now we need to brace for the next round of rain torrents.” the senator said in a Tweet, adding that all provinces and district administrations, NDMA & PDMAs need to act now to take as many preventive measures as possible.

Rehman added that PMD says Islamabad, Kashmir, northeast Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eastern Balochistan, and southeastern Sindh will experience heavy rainfall from 6-9th August. “Same areas are likely to experience more thunderstorms from 10th-13th August.” she added.

The senator urged people to exercise maximum caution when heading out in the rain, while advising tourists and travelers to plan their trips according to the updates provided by the PMD. “Many areas of Balochistan and Sindh are still waterlogged.” she said, adding that rain may also trigger landslides in hilly areas like Kashmir, Murree, and KP.

It is pertinent to mention that the Climate Change Minister has also warned of rising water level in Chenab, Jhelum and Ravi rivers with a risk of flash flooding in local rivers and nullahs in majority of the cities and towns in these provinces.

The minister said the effects of climate change continued to exacerbate in the country as “we have experienced lengthy heat waves, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and forest fires.” Furthermore, she added that Balochistan has recorded more than 600pc above average rainfall during this monsoon spell since mid-June, while Sindh received 500pc more rain.

She further wrote that the federal government was making assessments of the damage caused by rains and the prime minister had visited many flood-hit areas himself along with the many ministerial committees. “The federal government will release timely compensations to the families of those who have lost their loved ones and who have lost their homes in these devastating floods.” said the minister.

“We will be moving towards building medium-term resilience after the edge of the crisis is over,” she added.

Read more: Karachi Weather Update – Another Spell Of Monsoon Rains Expected From August 6.

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