Fresh spell of monsoon rains likely across Pakistan from July 29: PMD

• Karachi likely to receive rainfall from July 31: PMD.
• Met Office warns of urban flooding in parts of Punjab.
• Landslides may occur in vulnerable upper KP areas.
  

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast another widespread spell of monsoon rains across the country from July 29 to August 5, warning of urban flooding in major cities, flash floods in local streams and nullahs.

In an advisory issued on Tuesday, the PMD said that monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are likely to penetrate the upper and central parts of the country from July 29.

A westerly wave currently affecting the northern areas is expected to strengthen from August 1, bringing widespread rain and thundershowers to most upper and central parts of the country.

Rain and thundershowers, accompanied by scattered heavy falls and at times very heavy rainfall, are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad and Sialkot from July 29 to August 4, with occasional gaps.

Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Khushab, Mianwali, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Sargodha, Sahiwal and Pakpattan are likely to experience similar weather patterns.

The department further forecast rain-wind and thundershowers with scattered heavy falls in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanpur, Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur from July 31 to August 3.

For Sindh, the Met Office forecast rain and thundershowers with isolated moderate to heavy falls in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Karachi, Matiari, Jamshoro and Shaheed Benazirabad from July 31 to August 2, with occasional gaps.

Ghotki, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Larkana, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze and Thatta are expected to experience similar weather patterns.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, widespread rain-wind and thundershowers with scattered heavy falls and at times very heavy rainfall are likely in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank and Lakki Marwat from July 29 to August 5, with occasional gaps.

Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan and Hangu are also likely to receive rains during the period.

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

According to the Met Office, Kashmir is expected 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, with occasional gaps.

Gilgit-Baltistan is expected to receive rain-wind and thunderstorms with moderate to heavy falls in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar from the evening/night of July 28 to August 6, with occasional gaps.

Risk of urban flooding

The PMD warned that heavy rains may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad from July 30 to August 4.

In Sindh, urban flooding is expected 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 landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper KP, including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra, Haripur and Abbottabad, as well as GB, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir from July 30 to August 5.

It further warned that heavy rains may generate flash floods in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, KP, GB, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern parts of Balochistan during the forecast period.

The PMD said that heavy rains, windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures, including solar panels, electricity poles and billboards, during the spell.

It advised tourists and travellers to remain cautious throughout the forecast period, and urged farmers to plan crop activities in accordance with the prevailing weather conditions and ensure proper care of their livestock.