The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast heavy rainfall, windstorm and thunderstorms across several parts of the country next week as monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea move into upper and central Pakistan over the weekend.
In a press release issued on Friday, the Met Office said a western disturbance is also expected to approach the upper parts of the country on Monday, resulting in widespread rain, windstorms and thundershowers in most regions.
Kashmir, GB
According to the PMD, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to receive rain, windstorms and thundershowers, with scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall, from the evening of July 18 to July 25.
The affected areas may include Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Kotli and Mirpur in Kashmir, as well as Diamer, Astore, Skardu and Gilgit.
KP, Punjab, Islamabad
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Islamabad, the weather system is expected to bring heavy rainfall between the evening of July 19 and July 23.
Major cities and districts likely to be affected include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sialkot.
Southern Punjab districts, including Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur, may experience similar weather conditions from July 20 to July 24.
Balochistan
Northern and northeastern parts of Balochistan are expected to receive rain and windstorms, with isolated heavy rainfall, from the evening of July 19 to July 23.
The affected areas may include Zhob, Loralai, Sibi and Khuzdar.
Sindh
Most parts of Sindh are expected to remain hot and highly humid. However, isolated rain and thundershowers may provide some relief in Tharparkar, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana and Dadu between July 20 and July 24.
Karachi is likely to receive light rain or drizzle under partly cloudy to overcast conditions during the weekend. The minimum temperature in the city is expected to remain around 28°C.
Urban flooding feared in Islamabad, Rawalpindi
Heavy downpours may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan and Faisalabad between July 20 and July 23.
The rainfall may also trigger flash floods in local streams, nullahs and hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan.
Advisory for tourists
Tourists and travellers have been advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the wet spell.
Landslides may occur in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir between July 20 and July 25.
The PMD said the prevailing hot and humid conditions are likely to ease during this period. All relevant authorities have been advised to remain highly vigilant.
