PMD warns of heavy rain, flooding risks in many areas from July 18

ISLAMABAD: A fresh spell of monsoon weather is expected to affect large parts of Pakistan over the coming week, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasting rain, windstorms and thundershowers in multiple regions between July 18 and July 25.

In an advisory issued on Friday, the Met Office said monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea were continuing to move into the upper and central parts of the country and were expected to intensify over the weekend. It also said a western disturbance was likely to reach the upper parts on Monday, a development expected to add to rainfall activity.

Areas covered by the forecast

According to the PMD, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot and Okara are likely to receive rain, windstorms and thundershowers, with scattered heavy to very heavy falls, from the evening of July 19 to July 23.

The department said Noorpur Thal, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur are expected to receive rainfall from July 20 to 24.

In Sindh, the PMD said most areas would remain hot and very humid, though isolated rain and thundershowers are expected in Tharparkar, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Dadu and Jacobabad from the evening of July 20 to July 24.

For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the forecast covers Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner and Kohat from the evening of July 19 to July 23, where rain, windstorms and thundershowers with scattered heavy to very heavy falls are expected. The PMD said Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan and Hangu are likely to see a similar pattern during the same period.

The Met Office said Kashmir is likely to receive rain, windstorms and thundershowers, with scattered heavy to very heavy falls, from the evening of July 18 to July 25 with occasional gaps. The areas listed in the advisory are Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, moderate to heavy rain, windstorms and thunderstorms are expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar from the evening of July 18 to July 25.

For Balochistan, the PMD forecast rain, windstorms and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls in Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibi, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti and Khuzdar from the evening of July 19 to July 23.

Warnings and advice

The department cautioned that heavy rain may lead to urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan and Faisalabad from July 20 to 23.

It also warned that landslides may occur in vulnerable parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir between July 20 and 25. The PMD further said flash flooding is possible in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan during the forecast period.

The Met Office advised tourists and travellers to avoid unnecessary movement during the spell, while farmers were asked to plan crop-related activities in line with the weather outlook and ensure proper care of livestock. It added that the current hot and humid conditions are expected to ease during the forecast period.