Heavy rains are expected across much of the country in the coming days, while the upper regions have already witnessed the season’s first snowfall, as per the report.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) have forecast widespread showers along with the risk of landslides in hilly areas.
The NDMA’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has cautioned that intermittent rainfall is likely in different regions over the next 12 to 24 hours.
According to the NDMA spokesperson, the spell will affect several parts of Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Sindh, and Azad Kashmir.
Key areas in Punjab include Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Hafizabad, Sargodha, and Khushab.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain is expected in Chitral, Dir, Haripur, Kohat, Kohistan, Khyber, Kurram, Mansehra, Mohmand, Nowshera, Malakand, Charsadda, Abbottabad, Bannu, Buner, Hazara, Peshawar, Swabi, and Waziristan. Sindh may see showers in Karachi, Jamshoro, Thatta, Badin, Sajawal, Tharparkar, and Umerkot.
The upper catchments of the Jhelum, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers are also forecast to receive rain. The NDMA has warned that downpours in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir could trigger landslides in mountainous terrain and advised people to avoid unnecessary travel to those areas.
Speaking to reporters in Lahore, PDMA Punjab Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said active westerly winds will bring rain across the province.
While some areas may see light showers, heavier rainfall is expected in northern and northwestern regions tomorrow.
“There are chances of more than 60mm of rain on October 6 and 7,” he noted, adding that the spell will also bring a welcome drop in temperatures.
Kathia further said that although river flows are rising, there is currently no threat of flooding. At present, 20,000 cusecs of water are entering the Chenab River, with 23,000 cusecs recorded at Head Marala.
“In the next 48 hours, water at Head Marala may exceed 100,000 cusecs,” he added, but assured that there is no fear of flooding despite the increase.