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Friday, October 4, 2024

Sherry Rehman warns of flooding in metropolises

The minister says directed authorities to take timely measures to cope with the potentially disastrous impacts of the expected monsoon rains.

Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman on Tuesday warned of urban flooding in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Islamabad, directing the authorities to take all possible precautionary measures.

In a series of tweets, Rehman said, “Geographically, above-normal rain is expected on the foothills of the Himalayas, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the central parts of the Punjab region.”

“It must also be noted that rivers and streams are also prone to flooding, therefore precautions are to be taken,” she wrote.

“Urban areas are likely to face the risk of torrential rains,” the federal minister stated.

Rehman noted that the ministry had directed all federal and provincial authorities to take all possible preventive measures to deal with the potentially catastrophic effects of the expected monsoon rains.

Read more: Climate Change has a severe impact on Pakistan

Geo News reported that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has already issued an advisory for all departments concerned to remain high alert and vigilant as a series of heavy rains is about to begin.

According to the climate change minister, Pakistan will see monsoon rains till August, and Punjab and Sindh are expected to receive above-normal rains.

“Punjab and Sindh are expected to receive above-normal rainfall this year,” Rehman said. She also highlighted the grave situation in neighbouring India and Bangladesh, where the onset of the monsoon season has already created a state of emergency.

The minister added that the ministry has also issued a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) alert to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan governments due to global warming. However, she said there had been no loss of life so far.

The federal minister said, at the citizen safety level, individuals can take personal safety measures like driving slowly to react better to road conditions, avoiding flooded areas, remaining abreast with the weather situation, and staying away from accumulated water around electrical installations. It is advised that people stay away from wet electrical switches, and avoid standing under or near billboards, poles, and trees.