The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday forecast three more severe monsoon spells and warned that the intensity of rainfall would be 50 percent higher than before which would enhance risk of urban flooding including in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
The fear of harsh weather was expressed here by NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider during a press briefing on the damages caused by rain and flooding. He confirmed 313 deaths due to torrential rains in Buner, Bajaur, and Battagram, while flash floods and tourist accidents in Gilgit-Baltistan have enhanced the number above 400.
Search operations to find missing persons were going on, he added.
General Inam said that several communities in Gilgit and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been cut off from the rest of the country after land sliding damaged roads. Relief supplies and food would be provided to the people in the affected districts, he continued.
He quoted Pakistan Met Department forecast for more rainfall from August 17 to 22 which could cause urban flooding in cities such as Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala.
General Inam noted that due to intense summer heat, the severity of monsoon has increased and it would continue until the first ten days of September with 50 percent increased ferocity.
He said a survey would be conducted on the instructions of Prime Minister to assess damage, with priority to restoring communications infrastructure. From tomorrow, relief packages would be delivered to districts with the highest casualties, he maintained.