KARACHI: Light rain was reported in many parts of Karachi on Saturday morning as the provincial disaster management authority warns against flash flooding in low-lying areas of the province.

“Windstorm may damage the loose and vulnerable structures including signboards, trees etc,” the PDMA said in its weather warning.

There are two low-pressure areas around Sindh, one the southeast of Karachi-Thatta and one over Rajasthan, which have produced heavy spells in Umerkot on Friday and Nawabshah, Noushero Feroz districts on Saturday with moderate rains elsewhere in interior Sindh, it said while quoting the Met Office weather advisory

“At the moment Dadu, Sehwan, Moro, Kirthar national park area and their suburbs are in grip of a rainy spell. So, in this scenario, heavy rain is very likely in Dadu, Kambar Shahdadkot districts.”

Drizzle was reported in areas of Surjani Town, North Karachi, Nagan, North Nazimabad, Golimar, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, and Saadi Town. The Met Office has forecasted rain in Karachi till July 18. Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab visited the city on Friday night to review the situation after the rain and the work on sewerage lines.

The PDMA advised fishermen to take extra care as sea conditions may become “rough or very rough”.

Advice for people

• Wear protective clothing and seek indoor shelter
• Stay away from windows and doors during heavy rain and strong winds.
• Avoid roadway underpasses, drainage ditches, low-lying areas and areas where water collects there can be an unexpectedly flood or overflow.
• Avoid driving in heavy rain due to poor visibility
• Travellers and tourists are advised to remain extra cautious during the forecast period

Punjab

There are chances of heavy rain in different areas of Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan Division, the PDMA spokesman said in a statement. It asked all district administrations to remain on high alert during the rain forecast from July 15 to 17. Details are:

• There is a possibility of rain and thundershowers in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Multan, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad and Sahiwal divisions and upper river areas
• Moderate to high flood is expected in the hilly areas of DG Khan Division
• Risk of flooding in low-lying areas of cities and suburbs of Bahawalpur and DG Khan divisions
• Water levels in the streams connected to Mount Sulaiman, Salt Range may rise
• Measures for shifting residents of low-lying areas to temporary relief camps/safe places if necessary
• Health department should ensure the spraying of medicinal sprays at specific places to prevent diseases caused by rainwater