Pakistan has witnessed an extraordinary shift in weather patterns this month, with the country recording 250% more rainfall than usual between August 11 and 21, according to the Meteorological Department.
The sharp increase follows a dry spell in the first 10 days of August when rainfall was 60 to 99% below normal levels.
Weather shift breaks records
The Met Office reported that regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan saw 235% more rainfall than average, while Sindh experienced a dramatic turnaround — moving from 99% below normal rainfall in the first 10 days of August to 155% above normal rainfall in the following days. Southern areas of Pakistan, including Sindh, also benefited from widespread showers.
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PDMA Punjab issues flood alert
With the eighth spell of monsoon rains expected to begin tomorrow, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued a high-level flood alert. Officials warn of rising water levels in rivers across the province, especially in the Sutlej River, where the water flow at Ganda Singh Wala has already reached 100,000 cusecs.
The PDMA spokesperson added that the surge is partly due to water releases from Indian reservoirs, increasing the risk of flooding in adjacent districts.
Rain forecast across Punjab
There is a possibility of an increase in the water flow in upper reaches of rivers from August 23 to 27. From the night of August 22, westerly winds will enter the upper reaches of the province and bring more rain in Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, and Wazirabad.
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Rain is also predicted in Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sargodha, Jhang, Mianwali, Khushab, Toba Tek Singh, and Nankana Sahib, while southern districts such as Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Bahawalnagar are also likely to experience heavy downpours.
Citizens urged to remain cautious
The PDMA has directed commissioners and deputy commissioners to stay on high alert and instructed residents of low-lying areas, especially those near the Sutlej River basin, to move to safer locations immediately. There is a possibility of an increase in the water flow in the Sutlej River in the next 24 hours, the PDMA warned.
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Officials further warned of possible increased water flow in the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, urging citizens to follow safety advisories closely as the monsoon spell intensifies.
