Heavy rain alert issued as fresh monsoon spell nears from July 29

ISLAMABAD: A new monsoon system is expected to affect large parts of Pakistan from July 29, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department warning of urban flooding in major cities, flash floods in streams and nullahs, and landslides in vulnerable hilly areas.

In an advisory issued on Tuesday, the PMD said moist monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are likely to move into upper and central Pakistan from July 29, while a westerly wave already influencing the northern areas is forecast to intensify from August 1.

The weather department said the combination is likely to bring rain, wind and thundershowers to most upper and central parts of the country through August 5, with scattered heavy falls and, at times, very heavy rainfall in some areas.

Flooding and landslide risks

The PMD said low-lying parts of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad could face urban flooding from July 30 to August 4.

In Sindh, it warned of urban flooding in Nawabshah, Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sanghar, Khairpur, Mithi, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tando Muhammad Khan and Tando Allahyar from July 31 to August 2.

The department also cautioned that heavy rainfall may trigger flash floods in local streams and nullahs in کشمیر, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan during the spell.

Landslides are also possible between July 30 and August 5 in upper KP, including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra, Haripur and Abbottabad, as well as in GB, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir.

Areas likely to receive heavy rain

In Punjab, rain and thundershowers are expected from July 29 to August 4 in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad and Sialkot, with similar conditions likely in Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Khushab, Mianwali, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Sargodha, Sahiwal and Pakpattan.

Southern Punjab districts including Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanpur, Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur are likely to receive rain-wind and thundershowers with scattered heavy falls from July 31 to August 3.

Across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, widespread rain is forecast from July 29 to August 5 in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank and Lakki Marwat, while Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan and Hangu are also expected to receive showers during the period.

In Sindh, the PMD forecast rain and thundershowers with isolated moderate to heavy falls from July 31 to August 2 in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Karachi, Matiari, Jamshoro and Shaheed Benazirabad. Similar weather is expected in Ghotki, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Larkana, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze and Thatta.

For Balochistan, rain-wind and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls are expected from the evening or night of July 31 to August 3 in Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibbi, Kalat, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Turbat, Kech, Panjgur, Ormara, Pasni and Gwadar.

Kashmir is likely to receive rain, wind and thundershowers with scattered heavy falls, and at times very heavy rainfall, in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from the night of July 28 to August 5. In Gilgit-Baltistan, moderate to heavy falls are expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar from the evening or night of July 28 to August 6.

Advisory for public and farmers

The PMD said strong winds, lightning and heavy downpours may damage weak structures, including solar panels, electricity poles and billboards.

It advised tourists and travellers to remain careful during the forecast period, while asking farmers to plan crop activities in line with the weather outlook and ensure proper care of livestock.