The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast a widespread monsoon spell across much of the country over the coming week, warning of heavy rainfall, windstorms, flash floods, urban flooding and landslides in several regions.

According to the PMD, strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are moving into the upper and central parts of Pakistan and are expected to intensify over the weekend. A western weather system is also likely to enter the country’s northern areas on Monday, further strengthening the rainfall.

Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to receive widespread rain and thunderstorms, with heavy to very heavy falls from July 18 to 25. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and most parts of Punjab, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sialkot, heavy rain is forecast between July 19 and 23. Southern Punjab, including Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur, is expected to receive significant rainfall from July 20 to 24.

Northern and northeastern Balochistan, including Zhob, Loralai, Sibbi and Khuzdar, is also likely to receive rain and windstorms from July 19 to 23.

Most of Sindh will remain hot and humid, although isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected in Tharparkar, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana and Dadu between July 20 and 24. Karachi is likely to receive light rain or drizzle over the weekend, with temperatures expected to fall to around 28°C.

The PMD warned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable infrastructure, including electricity poles, solar panels and billboards. Landslides are also possible in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir.

The department further cautioned that heavy downpours could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan, while flash flooding is possible in local streams, nullahs and hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan.