The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a five-day weather advisory, forecasting widespread rain, thunderstorms and isolated heavy downpours across the country’s upper and central regions from August 17 to 21, with risks of urban flooding and landslides.

The Met Office said active monsoon currents are affecting northern Pakistan, while a fresh westerly weather system is expected to enter the upper parts of the country on August 17, enhancing rainfall activity.

Rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms is expected in Islamabad, much of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during the forecast period, with occasional breaks.

The PMD said the heaviest rainfall is likely over parts of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Swat, Dir, Chitral, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Muzaffarabad and Neelum Valley.

In contrast, most areas of Sindh and Balochistan are expected to remain hot and humid. However, scattered rain and thunderstorms are forecast in Musakhel, Barkhan, Zhob, Kalat and Khuzdar between August 17 and 20.

The weather department has warned that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Mardan and Swabi from August 17 to 20.

It also cautioned that landslides may occur in vulnerable hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, potentially disrupting traffic.

The PMD has advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to mountainous regions during the wet spell, while farmers have been urged to plan agricultural activities according to the forecast. Relevant authorities have also been directed to remain on alert and take precautionary measures to deal with any weather-related emergencies.