Torrential rain brings floods in NW Pakistan

Heavy torrential rains hit region of northwest Peshawar in Pakistan. At least 50 people were killed and several others went missing as heavy rains hit parts of east, south, northwest and northeast of Pakistan on September 7. The rain flooded roads and streets, inundated low-lying residential areas, uprooted trees and damaged electric supply system exposing the government’s much publicised contingency plan for monsoon season.

Strong winds and heavy rain pulled down boundary walls of residential quarters and defence installations, including airport.

During Thursday, Rawalpindi received 10 millimetres (mm) rainfall, Peshawar 88 mm, Toba Tek Sindh 52mm, Jhang 38mm, Sialkot 34mm, Murree 29mm, Balakot 28mm, Benazirabad 27mm, Larkana 26mm, Lower Dir and Dir 23mm, Sibbi 22, Rawalkot 21mm, Multan, Kakul and Khuzdar 19mm, Rahimyar Khan, Barkhan, Sahiwal, Drosh 9mm.

A meteorologist at the PMD has said that due to the low-pressure development in areas of central India, moisture laden clouds from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are moving closer. These heavy clouds are currently located over west Madhya Pradesh state of India and adjoining areas.

The meteorologists said that well marked low is likely to move further northwestward during weekend. Strong monsoon currents keep penetrating Pakistan under influence of that system.

The country is expected to have widespread monsoon rains with scattered heavyfalls from Friday to Sunday, which could generate urban and flash floods in vulnerable areas.

Featured image: People try to cross flooded street after heavy rains in northwest Pakistan’s Peshawar on Sept. 7, 2012. (Credit: Umar Qayyum/Xinhua)