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Arab News
19 hours ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Pakistan issues pre-monsoon rain alert from today, warns of urban flooding and damage risks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast pre-monsoon rains across various parts of the country from today, Friday, warning of possible urban flooding and infrastructure damage in several regions. The alert comes as Pakistan braces for another season of extreme weather, following deadly heatwaves and catastrophic floods in recent years. Ranked among the ten most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, Pakistan is ramping up preparedness efforts, especially in Punjab, where authorities expect significantly above-average rainfall this monsoon. 'Pre-monsoon rains are predicted in the country from June 20-23 with occasional gaps,' the PMD said in its advisory issued on Thursday. 'Moist currents from Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea are penetrating upper and central parts of the country and a westerly wave is also likely to approach upper parts on June 20.' The department said dust storms, rain with wind and thundershowers, including isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms, were expected in parts of Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and numerous districts of Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Affected areas include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, Chitral, Abbottabad and Waziristan among others. Similar conditions were also forecast for Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, and Jacobabad in Sindh province from June 22 to 24. PMD cautioned that such weather could damage loose infrastructure such as electric poles, trees, vehicles and solar panels, particularly in upper and central regions including Islamabad. It added that intense heat was expected to ease gradually over the forecast period, advising farmers to plan agricultural activities accordingly. PMD also warned urban flooding could occur in Lahore, Gujranwala and the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region. Authorities have urged the public, travelers and tourists to exercise caution. ABOVE-NORMAL RAINFALL Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab said on Thursday the province was likely to experience 25 percent more rainfall this monsoon season, with northeastern districts expected to receive 40 percent to 60 percent above-normal rainfall. 'This projection necessitates proactive and coordinated efforts to mitigate risks associated with urban and riverine flooding,' the authority said, adding that all necessary arrangements had been completed to respond to any emergencies. The provincial government has begun distributing pamphlets to raise public awareness about the dangers of floods, heavy rains and strong winds. Pakistan experienced devastating floods in 2022 that left more than 1,700 people dead and displaced over 33 million across the country. Experts described the disaster as a consequence of climate change, after floodwaters destroyed homes, farmland, and public infrastructure, causing financial losses exceeding $35 billion.
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Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Dust-thunderstorm, rain likely in parts of Karachi today: PMD
Listen to article The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast dust-thunderstorm-rain with lightning in isolated places across Karachi today, as unstable weather patterns continue to affect southern Pakistan. According to the advisory, partly cloudy weather with dust/thunderstorm-rain is likely at isolated places in Mithi, Umerkot, Badin, Thatta, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Khairpur, Dadu, Sukkur, Ghotki, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and surrounding areas. Read: PMD issues early warning for rain, thunderstorms in Karachi These scattered events are expected to develop Monday evening and continue into Tuesday, driven by moist currents entering from the Arabian Sea and a westerly wave present over central Pakistan. Monday's maximum temperature in Karachi is expected to hover around 37–39°C, with humidity reaching 73%. The spokesperson of the Meteorological Department, Anjum Nazir Zaigham stated that the day began with warm and humid conditions, and the temperature has already surpassed 36 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature in Karachi today is expected to reach 39 degrees Celsius. According to the spokesperson, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder is likely in Karachi from afternoon to evening. Dusty winds may also blow during the rainfall, further destabilising the weather. Anjum Nazir Zaigham added that tomorrow rain-bearing clouds may form near the suburban areas of Karachi and rainfall is expected in Jamshoro, Thatta, and Sujawal. Maximum daytime temperatures will remain high across most towns, with interior districts like Dadu and Jacobabad forecast to exceed 44°C. The combination of heat, humidity and storm activity may lead to brief but intense gusts, rainfall and lightning in affected areas. Hot and dry weather prevailed over most parts of the country on Sunday, with very hot conditions in the plains. However, isolated dust-thunderstorm rain occurred at scattered places in Central and Southern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. Rainfall was recorded at Bahawalnagar (8 mm), Sahiwal (3 mm), and Toba Tek Singh (2 mm) in Punjab, while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dera Ismail Khan Airport reported 4 mm, Lower Dir 2 mm, and Malam Jabba and Kalam 1 mm each. The highest maximum temperatures recorded yesterday included 48°C in Noorpur Thal and Turbat, 46°C in Jhelum and Bhakkar, and 45°C in Joharabad, Jacobabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Mangla and Sibbi. Read more: Severe heatwave scorches Pakistan, temperatures soar past 50°C The Met Office has warned that windstorms could damage infrastructure, particularly electric poles, trees, vehicles and solar panels. Residents in low-lying or open areas are advised to stay alert, secure property, and avoid unnecessary travel during storm activity. The weather is expected to clear by Wednesday, with a return to hot and dry conditions in most of Sindh.
ABC News
5 days ago
- ABC News
Four people have died in e-scooter crashes in Queensland so far this year, data reveals
Data has revealed four e-scooter riders have died on Queensland roads so far this year, with users urged to take the laws more seriously. Police data shows more than 2,700 infringements for illegal road use were issued to users of personal mobility devices — or PMDs — between November 2022 and December 2024. More than 65 per cent of infringements in that period involved failing to wear a helmet, carrying passengers, or illegal road use. Already this year, police have issued 1,094 infringements for riding without a helmet. Eight people died while riding e-scooters or e-bikes in Queensland last year. Queensland laws permit the riding of PMDs on suburban roads with speed limits at or below 50 kilometres per hour, and they can't be used on highways or major arterial roads. E-scooters and e-bikes must travel at a speed of 12kph or slower on footpaths and 25kph on roads and bike paths. Children under 12 are prohibited from riding e-scooters or e-bikes, with adult supervision required for those under the age of 15. The Queensland government launched a parliamentary inquiry last month into the safe use of PMDs, citing a 112 per cent rise in injuries to riders, passengers, and pedestrians from 2021 to 2024. Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said he is committed to a "whole of government" approach to regulation. "What's clear is the current framework isn't working, that's why we've announced this parliamentary inquiry," he told ABC Radio Brisbane. "This is all about trying to collate all of the views and opinions, the evidence base, to be able to better put together a framework that works. "Tragically, we've seen far too many injuries as well over the last couple of years — 112 per cent increase since 2021 to 24. "So, it's not just the enforcement, it's also resulting in both deaths and injuries, and we must tackle it in a different way." The inquiry is accepting public submissions until Friday. In one submission to the inquiry, made by resident Geoff Thomas, he called for PMDs that can travel over a certain speed to be registered like motor vehicles. "These are basically motorcycles without any form of regulation," he said. "Registered owners would be required to follow road rules, wear appropriate safety equipment, be of a certain age to operate them and obviously pay fines and a registration fee, which could also raise revenue." E-bike user Mal Shipton submitted that restricting PMDs to privately-owned devices would regulate the "casual attitudes" of current users. "At Kangaroo Point, we suffer a lot of scooters being abandoned so as to even block a footpath," the submission read. "According to the stats on the Green Bridge, bicycles outnumber scooters by double yet do not have anything like the impact as mentioned above. "I would think this is because most bikes are privately owned." The committee is due to report by March next year.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Call for desilting to prevent monsoon losses
As Pakistan braces for a 13% increase in rainfall during the 2025 monsoon season, environmental experts have warned that inadequate drainage infrastructure could exacerbate flood risks and economic losses. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts the monsoon to commence around June 23 and continue until September, with potential flash floods and urban inundations, particularly in regions like Koh-e-Suleman, Sindh, AJK, KPK, Punjab, and Islamabad. Experts emphasise that without proactive drainage maintenancesuch as clearing debris and removing blockagesthe country faces significant economic repercussions. Monsoon-induced flooding has historically inflicted severe economic damage across South Asia. For instance, the 2020 floods in the region caused an estimated $105 billion in damages, with Pakistan alone accounting for $1.5b of that total. Similarly, in 2024, Nepal experienced floods resulting in over Rs17b in losses, primarily affecting agriculture and infrastructure. These recurring disasters underscore the urgent need for improved drainage systems to mitigate economic losses and enhance resilience against future floods. In Islamabad, sectors such as G-10, F-10, I-10, and I-9 face chronic drainage issues. Drains are often clogged with solid waste, including plastic bags, bottles, food waste, and construction debris. During the monsoon, these drains become further obstructed with soil, sand, and shrubs, significantly reducing their capacity and causing water to overflow into residential areas. Residents have repeatedly urged authorities to clean and maintain these drains to prevent property damage. Environmental experts highlight that the worsening flood situation is not solely due to increased rainfall but also due to climate change, neglected infrastructure, and insufficient public awareness about the consequences of dumping waste into drainage channels. Informal settlements, particularly in sectors like G-6, F-6, G-7, F-7, and G-8, are often situated along drain canals. These areas are at high risk of floodwater intrusion, which can cause significant damage to infrastructure. Experts recommend issuing timely warnings to these communities to take necessary precautions. Experts note that sediment accumulation in drains reduces their width and capacity. For example, a drain that was once 100 feet wide may now be only 50 feet wide due to sediment buildup. This narrowing increases the risk of overflow and flooding, as the same volume of water is forced through a much narrower channel. Low-cost houses, especially those with basements or illegal connections to drains, are particularly vulnerable to floodwater intrusion. Experts urge authorities to prioritise drainage maintenance and infrastructure improvements ahead of the monsoon season. Proactive measures, such as regular cleaning of drains and raising public awareness about the importance of proper waste disposal, are essential to mitigate flood risks and economic losses. Environmentalist Muhammad Aslam urged authorities to take immediate action in informal settlements, particularly in sectors G-6, F-6, G-7, F-7, and G-8, where many homes are built along drainage canals. "These areas are highly vulnerable to flooding, and residents should be issued timely warnings to take precautions," he said. Aslam also highlighted that sediment accumulation is drastically reducing drain capacities. "A drain that was once 100 feet wide is now about 50 feet due to unchecked buildup," he explained. He warned that low-cost houses, especially those with basements or illegal drain connections, are at serious risk.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Rain likely as heatwave eases
Widespread dust storms and scattered rain are expected across much of upper and central Punjab this weekend, bringing temporary relief from the intense heat that has gripped the region in recent weeks. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Saturday that a westerly weather system currently moving across the country is likely to continue influencing weather patterns through Monday. While most of Punjab will continue to experience hot and dry weather during the day, isolated areas — particularly in Murree, Galliyat, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad and surrounding districts — could see dust storms and thundershowers. Kashmir is also likely to receive scattered rainfall and thunderstorms. By Sunday, the weather is expected to remain warm and partly cloudy across most districts, but the chance of dust storms and rain will spread to additional areas, including Gujranwala, Sargodha, Bhakkar, and Jhang. The PMD also noted the possibility of hail in some places during the period, especially in upper Punjab and Kashmir. In the last 24 hours, several areas in Punjab reported light rainfall. Gujrat recorded the highest rainfall at 11.6 millimetress, followed by Mangla with 5.8 and Sialkot Airport with 3.8 millimeters. Light showers were also reported in Murree, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Bahawalpur. Despite these scattered showers, most districts in the province remained hot and dry. Temperatures continued to soar, with Bahawalnagar recording the highest maximum temperature in Punjab at 49 degrees Celsius, while Murree remained the coolest at 17 degrees. The forecast comes as the country begins to see a slight break in the prevailing heatwave. According to the PMD, moist air from the Arabian Sea is interacting with the incoming westerly system, creating conditions for intermittent dust storms and thunderstorms. These weather patterns are expected to affect not only Punjab and Kashmir, but also parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northern Balochistan, continuing through June 16. The authorities have been urged to remain alert as strong winds and thunderstorms could damage trees, power lines, solar panels, and other exposed infrastructure. The public, especially farmers, tourists, and travelers, were advised to take precautionary measures and plan activities with changing weather conditions in mind. The Meteorological Department said the ongoing heatwave is likely to subside during this period, offering much-needed respite to residents across the region. Dengue risk Talking to the participants of an awareness walk at Lahore General Hospital (LGH) about the prevention of dengue virus, Ameerud Din Medical College Principal Professor Farooq Afzal said dengue fever is a medical as well as a social problem and citizens should keep their homes and surrounding environment clean and dry to protect themselves. He asserted that women associated with the health and education sectors should spread awareness about the prevention of dengue virus as well as other diseases.
