Islamabad:As the country continues to reel under intense heat and humidity, the Pakistan Meteorological Department on Monday issued a monsoon forecast, warning of rainfall in multiple regions at the start of July, accompanied by risks of flash and urban flooding, landslides and windstorms.
According to the PMD, a westerly wave is likely to enter the upper parts of the country from the evening or night of June 30, while moist currents from the Arabian Sea are already penetrating the eastern and central parts, with additional moisture from the Bay of Bengal expected to reach upper regions from July 2.
These systems will trigger widespread rainfall activity this week. Scattered rain, windstorms and thundershowers, with isolated downpour, are expected in Azad Jammu and Kashmir's Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur areas from July 1 to 6.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, similar weather is forecast for Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu, Waziristan, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan regions from July 1 to 5, with occasional breaks.
In Punjab, rain and thundershowers are likely in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot and Narowal from July 1 to 6. Other districts including Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Pakpattan, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Okara, Kasur, Noorpur Thal, Bhakkar, Layyah, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur will see activity from July 3 to 5.
The Gilgit-Baltistan region is expected to receive rain, windstorms, and thunderstorms in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar from July 1 to 5. In Balochistan, northern and northeastern districts such as Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Harnai, Sibbi, Barkhan and Dera Bugti could see rains from July 1 to 4.
Rain is likely to fall in Sindh’s upper parts, including Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Qambar Shahdadkot and Naushahro Feroze on July 3 and 4.
The PMD warned that windstorms and lightning could damage weak structures, including solar panels, electric poles, and billboards. Landslides remain a threat in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir between July 2 and 6.
Flash flooding is possible in local streams, nullahs of Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan from July 2 to 5, while heavy rains could trigger urban and flash flooding in major cities such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad from July 1 to 4.
The PMD strong advised travellers, especially tourists, to exercise extra caution and avoid unnecessary travel during that period, while farmers were urged to manage crop activities and livestock carefully in view of the changing weather.
