The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast an eight-day spell of monsoon rains across much of the country from July 29 to August 5, warning of heavy downpours that could trigger urban flooding, flash floods, landslides, and travel disruptions.
In its weather advisory issued on Tuesday, the PMD said moist monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are expected to move into the upper and central parts of Pakistan from July 29. A westerly weather system is also likely to strengthen over the northern regions from August 1, increasing rainfall intensity.
Rain and thunderstorms, including heavy to very heavy showers at isolated locations, are expected in Kashmir, Islamabad, upper and central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan during the forecast period. Parts of southern Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan are also expected to receive widespread rainfall, with moderate to heavy falls in some districts.
The Met Office warned that low-lying urban areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan could experience urban flooding between July 30 and August 4. Similar conditions are possible in several Sindh cities, including Nawabshah, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sanghar, Khairpur, Mirpur Khas, Umerkot, Tando Muhammad Khan, and Tando Allahyar from July 31 to August 2.
The advisory further warned of possible flash floods in local streams and hill torrents across Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Dera Ghazi Khan, and northeastern Balochistan. Landslides may also occur in vulnerable mountainous areas, particularly in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.
The PMD urged tourists and commuters to exercise caution, advised farmers to schedule agricultural activities according to weather conditions and safeguard livestock, and directed relevant authorities to remain on alert and take preventive measures to reduce the impact of the approaching weather system.
