Heavy rainfall began in various parts of Karachi last night and continued through the morning, with particularly intense showers in the early morning hours. Lighter rain still persists in many areas. The rains come after a new monsoon system entered the city.

As forecast by the meteorological department, a powerful monsoon system is expected to enter the country today, leading to widespread, heavy rainfall across Sindh province, including Karachi, from August 26 to 29.

Rain in various parts of Karachi

The monsoon spell has affected areas like Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, Scheme 33, Saadi Town, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gadap, Bahria Town, Jamia Tur Rasheed, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Shah Latif Town, Gurumandir, and Bin Qasim, with heavy showers in these localities.

The heavy rains have resulted in very low student attendance in schools, as many teachers were also unable to reach. Offices also have low staff attendance due to waterlogging on the main roads, which are virtually devoid of traffic.

An emergency has been imposed in Karachi and all staff of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation have had their holidays cancelled. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has directed municipal services to remain on high alert.

Previously, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had predicted that the powerful low-pressure system over central India had intensified, and this depression-like system is currently present in Madhya Pradesh. It is likely to enter eastern Sindh tonight or tomorrow morning.

Rain in Sindh

The PMD has stated that under the influence of this system, monsoon winds could enter Sindh with great intensity. There is a possibility of heavy rain with strong winds and thunderstorms in Sindh from tonight until August 31.

Other districts of Sindh may also experience heavy rain and thunderstorms from August 26 to 29.

According to the PMD, the torrential rains could submerge the low-lying areas of Sindh. There will be high tides in the sea during this period, so fishermen are advised to be cautious.

Furthermore, the Meteorological Department has advised fishermen in Sindh and Balochistan not to venture into the sea from August 27 to 30.

New rain spell in Punjab

According to the PMD, the monsoon spell in the province is expected to continue until August 29th. All rivers and streams in Punjab are flowing at normal levels.

The PMD spokesperson says that there is a possibility of rainfall in most districts of Punjab in the next 24 hours, and this spell is forecasted to continue until August 29.

The flows in the rivers Indus, Chenab, Ravi, Jhelum and Sutlej passing through Punjab are at normal levels. The situation is also normal in the hill torrents of Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan, however, the PMD and local administration are on alert for potential flash flooding in the hill torrents over the next few days.

According to Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Khan, the water level in Mangla Dam is at 73% and in Tarbela Dam it is at 100%. In comparison, the water levels in Indian dams are up to 50%.

Authorities reported that there is a risk of urban flooding in Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Gujranwala. The administrations of major cities are on high alert.

Flash flooding is dangerous in the Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Bahawalpur divisions, and the threat of riverine floods due to the heavy rains.

Rain in KP

The Met Office also forecasts rain in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, and Battagram. Rainfall is expected in Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, and Bajaur as well.

Additionally, rain has been predicted for Mohmand, Khyber, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, and Charsadda. Isolated places in Kohat, Orakzai, Hangu, and Kurram may also see thundershowers.

Over the past 24 hours, 4 mm of rain was recorded in Chakdara, 2 mm in Dir, and 1 mm in Kalam, while the temperature in Peshawar reached 38 degrees Celsius.

The Met Office has reported a strong low-pressure system is expected to enter the eastern and southern parts of Balochistan, which will persist for 4 days.

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Restoration work on damaged roads is ongoing in Sibi, Sohbatpur, Jaffarabad, Usta Muhammad, and surrounding areas.

The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for further rains in southern and eastern Balochistan and has directed the relevant authorities to take necessary measures.

According to PDMA, due to the monsoon rains since July 1st, 23 people, including 12 children, have lost their lives, and 13 people, including 11 children, have been injured. The rains have damaged 784 houses, with 158 being destroyed and 626 partially damaged, affecting 5,465 people.