The incessant rains have led to urban flooding, particularly in Karachi
Karachi is suffering from severe rain that has lashed down on the city for the last few days. A 90-year-old record of rainfall broke with 345mm of rain received at the PAF Faisal Base in August. As per reports, 90 people have died due to incessant downpour that has led to severe power failures and the collapse of some structures in Pakistan’s largest metropolis.
Different areas of Punjab have also received constant rain in the last couple of days though they have been less devastating. Cities including Sialkot, Lahore, Multan, Jhelum, Chakwal, Narowal, Faisalabad and Gujranwala have received downpour during the last two days. For the most part, the rain has made the weather pleasant. However, a state of emergency has been declared in Sialkot due to heavy with experts warning of possible medium-level floods in nullahs and drains of the Chenab and Ravi rivers.
Rain has also badly affected Lahore and several people have died in different accidents. Some of the areas of the city have been left flooded due to incessant rain. Laxmi Chowk received the most rainfall with 189mm. All major areas of the city experienced a rainfall of over 100mm. the downpour lasted about six hours.
The nation’s capital Islamabad has also been receiving severe rainfall though it has not caused any kind of flooding. As per reports, the Sawaan River’s level has raised significantly. The weather has become quite pleasant as the mercury levels dropped. There are reports of rain in KPK, Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan as well. However, due to lesser amount of downpour, no loss of life or flooding has been reported.
From the current rainfalls, it is clear that there is a greater need for planning for dealing with urban flooding. Without clearing of nullahs in time, such events will continue. Urban planning needs to be better without the removal of illegal constructions to avoid such flooding in the future.