ISLAMABAD: Widespread rain hit most parts of the country on Friday as the death toll during the monsoon 2020 reached 219, besides 158 others have been inured, said the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Flood Forecasting Division (FFD), PMD has informed that according to the latest hydrometeorological conditions and possible synchronization of flood waves from rivers Indus and Chenab, River Indus at Guddu is likely to attain high flood level during 8 to 9 September 2020 and at Sukkur during 9 to 10 September 2020.

Under this scenario low-lying and Kacha area are likely to be inundated. According to the NDMA, keeping in view the higher water level in Mangla reservoir (1,242.00 feet), Tarbela Dam (1,550 feet), and expected rains over the upper catchments of all the major rivers, may result in increasing discharge of surplus water from Mangla Dam and Tarbela Dam.

The NDMA has stated that 219 people have died including 85 children across the country during the current monsoon spell and 158 others have been injured. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa topped the list with 91 deaths followed by Sindh with 84 deaths, and Balochistan 19.

According to the Metrological Department Monthly Outlook for September 2020, the first half of the September is expected wetter than the second one. Below average precipitation is anticipated across mountainous region of the GB and upper half of the KP.

Monsoon region of the Punjab including some lower parts of the KP is predicted to be slightly above normal to normal rainfall. The above normal rainfall may occur in central Punjab and eastern Sindh region. However, a tendency of normal rainfall is predicted in the AJK.

A high probability of above-normal temperatures is predicted over southern parts of Sindh and Balochistan. The daily mean temperatures are likely to increase above normal after mid-September in Sindh and Balochistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020