fter a dry and scorching July, Pakistan is in the grip of monsoon rains. Northern areas of Gilgit and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have had several spells of destructive rains. Sindh, Balochistan and southern Punjab have been lashed by torrential rains. Hill torrents of Koh-i-Suleman and Khirthar ranges have generated raging flows isolating dozens of villages. Based on the prognosis by Meteorological Department, the National Disaster Management Authority has been churning out weather alerts and advisories.

An update on August 13 on the NDMA website said there had been 154 deaths and 315 injuries since July 1. Around 2,234 houses have been reported damaged. Strong rain spells are also expected in the rest of August.

All international and regional weather models have forecast above-normal heat and rains in Pakistan. Sindh and Balochistan received catastrophic monsoon rains in 2022 that triggered an unprecedented deluge. Several districts of Sindh remained submerged for several months. The flat topography (9-10 centimetres per kilometre slopes) and a poorly maintained drainage network turned vast areas into ponds for several months.

Before the onset of monsoon rains, the Meteorological Department and the NDMA had issued warnings of strong wet spells this year. Meanwhile May, June and July were months of blistering heat. All provinces endured baking sun for weeks punctuated by brief cloudy pauses and scant showers. Plains of Sindh, the Punjab and Balochistan were sizzling with over 40°C temperature for weeks. In the last week of........

© The News on Sunday