More monsoon rains likely across Pakistan from July 29; PMD warns of urban flooding, flash floods and landslides

ISLAMABAD, Jul 28 (APP):The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Tuesday forecast another widespread spell of monsoon rains across the country from July 29 to August 05, warning of urban flooding in major cities, flash floods in local streams and nullahs, landslides in hilly areas and possible damage to weak infrastructure due to heavy rainfall, windstorms and lightning.

According to the PMD, monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are likely to penetrate the upper and central parts of the country from July 29, while a westerly wave currently affecting the northern areas is expected to strengthen from August 01, bringing widespread rain-wind and thundershowers to most upper and central parts of Pakistan.

The Met Office said Kashmir is expected to receive rain-wind and thundershowers, with scattered heavy falls and at times very heavy rainfall, in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from the night of July 28 to August 5, with occasional gaps.

In Punjab and Islamabad, rain-wind and thundershowers, accompanied by scattered heavy falls and at times very heavy rainfall, are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Khushab, Mianwali, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Sargodha, Sahiwal and Pakpattan from July 29 to August 04, with occasional gaps.

The department further forecast rain-wind and thundershowers with scattered heavy falls in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanpur, Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur from July 31 to August 03.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, widespread rain-wind and thundershowers with scattered heavy falls and at times very heavy rainfall are likely in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan and Hangu from July 29 to August 05, with occasional gaps.

The PMD said Gilgit-Baltistan is expected to receive rain-wind and thunderstorms with moderate to heavy falls in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar from the evening/night of July 28 to August 6, with occasional gaps.

In Balochistan, rain-wind and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls are expected in the eastern and southern districts, including Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibbi, Kalat, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Turbat, Kech, Panjgur, Ormara, Pasni and Gwadar from the evening/night of July 31 to August 03.

For Sindh, the Met Office forecast rain-thundershowers with isolated moderate to heavy falls in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Karachi, Matiari, Jamshoro, Shaheed Benazirabad, Ghotki, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Larkana, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze and Thatta from the evening/night of July 31 to August 02, with occasional gaps.

Highlighting the possible impacts of the weather system, the PMD warned that heavy rains may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad from July 30 to August 4. In Sindh, urban flooding is expected in Nawabshah, Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sanghar, Khairpur, Mithi, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tando Muhammad Khan and Tando Allahyar from July 31 to August 02.

The department also cautioned that landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra, Haripur and Abbottabad, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir from July 30 to August 05.

It further warned that heavy rains may generate flash floods in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern parts of Balochistan during the forecast period.

The PMD said heavy rains, windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures, including solar panels, electricity poles and billboards, during the spell.

The Met Office advised tourists and travellers to remain cautious throughout the forecast period. It also urged farmers to plan crop activities in accordance with the prevailing weather conditions and ensure proper care of their livestock.

The PMD advised all concerned authorities to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautionary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.