The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain, strong winds and thunderstorms across the country’s upper and central regions over the next two days, warning that heavy downpours could trigger urban flooding, landslides, and river and stream overflows in several areas.
According to the PMD, a combination of moist currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, along with a westerly weather system, is expected to bring intermittent rain to Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northeastern Balochistan through July 8. Drizzle is also expected in a few parts of Sindh.
The department has warned that heavy rainfall may lead to urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Lahore, and Faisalabad. It also cautioned that hilly regions of Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and Dera Ghazi Khan could experience landslides and rising water levels in local rivers and seasonal streams.
The PMD further warned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable infrastructure, including solar panels, electricity poles, and signboards. Tourists, travellers, and farmers have been advised to take necessary precautions, while all relevant authorities have been urged to remain on high alert and ensure appropriate safety measures are in place during the forecast period.
On the other hand, the Karakoram Highway has once again been closed off on Monday due to a landslide at the Patan Dak area, leaving tourists stranded amid severe traffic congestion.
The closure of the highway also suspended the land link between Pakistan and China. A large number of tourists visiting the Pak-China border region for recreation were left stuck on the route.
Local police officials said vehicles arriving in Gilgit-Baltistan from different parts of the country, along with several passengers, were stranded.
Passengers managed to clear space for small vehicles on their own. Those stuck on the highway include children, elderly people, women, and students. Meanwhile, long queues of cargo trucks were seen on both sides of the Karakoram Highway.
