By Wasif Ali Khan
TWA
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ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN – The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of heightened flood risks as fresh monsoon systems advance towards Pakistan, with officials cautioning that torrential rains may persist until at least August 22 before another spell begins.
NDMA technical expert Dr. Tayyab Shah said three more monsoon systems are heading towards the country, including one from the Bay of Bengal and another moving in from Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Kandahar regions. “The current spell will continue until August 22 with increasing intensity, followed by another round of heavy rains,” he told reporters.
General Manager NDMA, Zahra Hasan, noted that Tarbela Dam is already 98 percent full, raising concerns of dangerous water levels within the next 24 to 48 hours. She added that water levels in low-lying areas such as Katarian and Gawalmandi have surged up to 15 feet.
Fresh rainfall has already begun over the Suleiman Range, while flood threats have escalated in parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Neelum, Poonch and Bagh districts. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, Chitral, Dir and Charsadda remain at high risk of flash floods.
Author
Wasif Ali Khan, a seasoned journalist, currently serves as the Editor of The World Ambassador and also holds the position of Bureau Chief at CNN Urdu.
