The Sindh government on Friday alerted all district disaster management authorities (DDMAs) and other concerned authorities after Pakistan Meteorological Department said thunderstorms were expected in the region.
The provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) has directed all local administrations to take all necessary mitigation measures and issued an advisory for the general public as well.
According to the PDMA’s alert, a fresh westerly wave is likely to enter southern Balochistan from today (April 28). Under its influence; scattered dust- thunderstorms and rain with few moderate to isolated heavy falls and hailstorms are likely to occur.
The districts likely to be impacted include Dadu, Jamshoro, Kambar Shahdadkot, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Sukkur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar and Matiari districts.
Dust-thunderstorms and rain of moderate intensity are also expected in Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal districts and Karachi division from April 28 until May 1 with occasional gaps.
“Heavy falls may generate water logging in low-lying areas of Kambar Shahdadkot, Larkana, Dadu, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Sanghar, Matiari and Badin districts,” the PDMA warned adding that “strong winds may cause damage to loose and vulnerable structures”.
Locals have been urged to monitor the weather alerts regularly and stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
The government also stressed that residents should maintain a distance from power lines or electrical wires and avoid underpasses, drainage ditches, low-lying areas and areas where water collects.
Sea conditions are also expected to become rough, therefore, fishermen have been advised not to venture in the sea and take precautions until May 1.
Earlier, Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman had advised the provinces to take necessary precautions and remain vigilant as PMD issued a weather advisory predicting heavy rainfall from April 26th to May 7th.
The minister had urged all the provinces to take necessary precautions to ensure public safety during the forecast period of heavy rainfall. This includes cleaning storm drains, ensuring electricity pole stability and maintaining road access in the event of local flooding, she added.
She had emphasised taking extra precautions in the areas where reconstruction work is underway as a result of damages caused by the 2022 floods.
The minister had feared that the country may fall into a recovery trap if it did not have sufficient resources to deal with the devastation caused by the 2022 floods. “My fear is that Pakistan will be in the resilience and rebuilding trap if there are not enough resources to plough into the devastation wrought by the 2022 flooding. While there is no clarity on what level of monsoon to expect next, the rebuilding projects will certainly be impacted as well as the economic recovery, if even a fraction of the devastation repeats itself.”
