PMD warns of widespread monsoon rains, urban flooding across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday forecast widespread rain and thunderstorms across large parts of the country over the next four days, warning of urban flooding, flash floods and damage to weak infrastructure as an active monsoon system intensifies.

According to the Met Office, a low-pressure system over southwest Rajasthan and adjoining areas has strengthened monsoon currents over southern and central Pakistan, with rain and thundershowers expected from July 24 to 27.

The forecast covers Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad, and northeastern Balochistan, with isolated heavy downpours expected in several districts.

In Sindh, heavy rainfall is likely in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Thatta and several other districts, while Karachi is expected to receive light rain under mostly cloudy conditions during the forecast period.

In Punjab, rain accompanied by windstorms and thunderstorms is forecast for Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Murree and adjoining areas, with isolated heavy falls.

The PMD also predicted rain and thunderstorms across most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Swat, Chitral, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Kohat and Waziristan, while similar weather is expected in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

In Balochistan, rain and thunderstorms are likely in Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Khuzdar and adjoining areas.

The Met Office warned that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and several districts of Sindh, including Sukkur, Hyderabad, Badin, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas and Thatta between July 24 and 26.

It also cautioned that strong winds and lightning could damage weak structures, urging tourists and travellers to avoid unnecessary travel, while advising farmers to protect crops and livestock. Provincial and district authorities have been asked to remain on high alert throughout the forecast period.

Meanwhile, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said all relevant departments had been placed on emergency alert, with district administrations, rescue teams and pumping machinery deployed in vulnerable areas to respond to any flooding situation.

The latest advisory comes as the ongoing monsoon season has already claimed dozens of lives across the country, with heavy rains causing flash floods, landslides and widespread damage to homes, roads and agricultural land. Lahore and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been among the worst-affected areas in the current spell.