Under the influence of the first Monsoon system of this season for the region, Indian states of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab have received extremely heavy rains in the past 48 hours. Rainfall is incessant and floods are unrelenting.
This Monsoon system is causing similar inclement weather conditions over northern parts of Punjab in Pakistan and also Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Torrential rains have wreaked havoc and the death toll has risen to 63.
Worst affected areas are western parts of POK and districts of Sialkot, Rawalpindi and Lahore. Rivers like Jhelum and Chenab are flowing much above the danger mark and also breaching the embankments, resulting in collapse of infrastructure and inundation of inhibited areas. Alerts have been sounded by the administration for the people to evacuate their homes.
The rainfall amounts are very heavy at places and 24 hours rainfall for few stations is:
Jhelum -135 mm , Islamabad – 298 mm Kakul – 118 mm, Balakot – 79 mm, Bhawalnagar – 60 mm Lahore -60 mm, Sargodha – 50 mm. Spell of heavy rainfall is expected to last for another 48 hours, with a gradual reduction in intensity.
It is to be noted that Monsoon rain in Pakistan is usually not heavy, with September observing very little rain. This spell of rain in Pakistan is unprecedented and has probably happened in a decade. The Western Disturbance that is giving rain in Jammu and Kashmir is also responsible for rain in Pakistan.
Picture courtesy: tamilsway.com
