ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet declared a “monsoon emergency” on Friday, prompting Senator Sherry Rehman, the minister for climate change, to warn residents that additional rain will begin today (Saturday).
She tweeted on Friday that the country would get additional rain in the upcoming week, citing the Pakistan Met Department. From August 6 to August 9, Islamabad, Kashmir, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh will see severe rainfall.
Additionally, from August 10 to August 13, these regions, especially Gilgit Baltistan, may also suffer high winds and thundershowers. All provincial and federal authorities have been urged to maintain a high level of alertness and use care. Both district commissioners and province administrations should be activated in the meantime to stop the loss of lives.
She stated that there is a possibility of flash flooding in water ways and nullahs in the majority of the towns and cities in these provinces if the water levels in the Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi rivers rise.
As rains may cause landslides in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Galiyat, Murree, Chilas, Diamer, Gilgit, Hunza, Astore, Ghizer, and Skardu, travellers and vacationers must travel in consideration of the weathers and be more careful while travelling, especially in the northern areas and Kashmir, she said.
The minister claimed that as a result of “prolonged heat waves, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and forest fires,” the country’s climate change effects were getting worse.
