The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued a comprehensive weather alert warning of intensified monsoon activity with heavy rains and thunderstorms expected across multiple provinces through July 26, with potential flash flooding in vulnerable areas.
According to a press release issued by the National Weather Forecasting Centre, monsoon currents are currently penetrating Sindh and upper parts of the country and are likely to intensify in upper and central regions from July 20. A fresh westerly wave is expected to approach upper areas on July 21.
Regional Weather Breakdown
Sindh is forecast to experience rain-wind/thundershowers with isolated moderate to heavy falls in major cities including Tharparker, Umer Kot, Mirpur Khas, Mithi, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Karachi, Shaheed Benazirabad, Khairpur, Dadu, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Sanghar, Sukkur, Ghotki and Larkana from July 18 night to July 20.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will see rain-wind/thundershowers with scattered heavy falls in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Waziristan, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Hangu and Kurram from July 21 to July 25.
Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to receive rain-wind/thundershowers with isolated heavy falls in Kashmir’s Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur from July 20 to July 25. Gilgit-Baltistan areas including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar will experience similar conditions from July 21 to July 26.
Punjab and Islamabad will see scattered heavy falls in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar and Mianwali from July 20 evening/night to July 25.
Balochistan is forecast to experience rain-wind/thundershowers in northeastern/southern parts including Lasbella, Awaran, Khuzdar, Quetta, Zhob, Qilla Saifullah, Qilla Abdullah, Ziarat, Kalat, Sherani, Musakhel, Loralai and Barkhan from July 18 night/July 19 to July 22 and July 25.
Flood and Safety Warnings
The Met Office has warned of several potential impacts, including flash floods in local streams of Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, and hill torrents of D.G Khan, Northeast Punjab and Kashmir from July 21 to July 25.
Heavy downpours may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Okara, Nowshera and Peshawar from July 21 to July 25.
The department has advised all concerned authorities to remain alert and take necessary precautions to avoid any untoward situations, while advising the public and tourists to avoid unnecessary exposure to vulnerable areas.
