New monsoon showers expected from Sept 16

Pakistan is facing another challenge as fresh rains are forecast from September 16 to 18.

The new spell will cover Azad Jammu and Kashmir, northern and central Punjab, and some parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The Meteorological Department says the showers will not be as heavy as the August downpours. But the risk of flooding remains high.

Authorities have asked local administrations to stay on alert.

In Punjab, the situation is still tense. Embankments at Basti Baharan near Multan have collapsed. Officials also cut the Uch Sharif road to save Multan from flooding. Villages around the area — including Jhanbo, Kotla, Bahadurpur, and Sabra — are badly hit.

At Sher Shah dyke, floodwater is still pressing against the barrier. Officials delayed breaching it because the threat at Jalalpur Pirwala has slightly reduced.

At Head Panjnad, the flood wave has crossed 660,000 cusecs. Alipur is almost 70 percent under water. Crops are ruined and families are displaced.

In Lodhran’s Akbar Shah area, more than 2,000 houses are submerged. Cotton, maize, rice, and sesame fields are gone.

Arifwala is also struggling as the Sutlej River continues to flood. Displaced families are living in makeshift camps.

In Liaquatpur, floodwater has entered areas that were dry for decades. Evacuations are under way.

Pakistan’s reservoirs are filling up fast. Tarbela has reached its full capacity of 1,550 feet. Rawal Dam is almost full at 1,751.80 feet.

Mangla is 92 percent filled, and Simli has also reached maximum level.

The authorities have opened spillways to release excess water. They say this is necessary to protect the dams from damage.