NDMA issues urban flooding alert

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an urban flooding alert citing heavy rainfall forecast in Punjab and Sindh in the next 24 to 48 hours.

According to NDMA, urban flooding is expected in some areas of Punjab and Sindh in the next 24 to 48 hours because there is a possibility of thundershowers in the south and northeastern regions.

Heavy rain is likely in Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Matiari, Jamshoro, Umarkot, Tharparkar, Khairpur, Thatta,

Badin,  Sajawal, Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Dadu and nearby areas.

There is a possibility of rain at some places in the Potohar region, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal while heavy rains are expected in Bahawalpur, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and surrounding areas, the authority said, adding there is a risk of urban flooding due to the accumulation of rainwater in these areas.

The NDMA urged the vulnerable population to adopt processionary measures. It asked the civic bodies and local admins to brace for the challenge.

It stressed manholes, drainage systems and storm drains should be cleansed and electrical appliances should be unplugged to avoid short-circuiting during heavy rain. Bridges can be dangerous during floods so people should avoid crossing them if the water is flowing fast, it maintained.