PMD warns of heavy rain, flash floods and landslides across Pakistan from July 18-25

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday warned that monsoon activity is expected to intensify across large parts of the country from July 18 (tomorrow), with widespread rain, windstorms and thunderstorms forecast through July 25, raising the risk of flash floods, urban flooding and landslides.

In a weather advisory issued by the National Weather Forecasting Centre, the Met Office said monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are “continuously penetrating upper and central parts of the country” and are likely to strengthen over the weekend.

It added that a western disturbance is expected to approach the upper parts of the country on Monday, with the combined weather systems likely to trigger widespread rainfall.

According to the PMD, rain accompanied by windstorms and thunderstorms, with “scattered heavyfalls at times very heavy”, is expected in Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian Bala, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhnoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur, from the evening or night of July 18 until July 25, with occasional gaps.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rainfall is forecast 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 the evening or night of July 19 to July 23.

The department said Islamabad and much of upper and central Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot and Okara, are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall from the evening or night of July 19 to July 23.

Rain is also likely in Bhakkar, Mianwali, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur from July 20 to July 24. Moderate to heavy rainfall is also forecast in Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, from the evening or night of July 18 to July 25.

In Balochistan, heavy rain is expected in the northeastern districts of Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Musakhel, Kohlu, Sibi, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti and Khuzdar from the evening or night of July 19 to July 23, while most parts of Sindh are expected to remain hot and very humid, with isolated rain and thunderstorms forecast in Tharparkar, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Dadu and Jacobabad from July 20 to July 24.

The PMD warned that windstorms and lightning “may damage weak structures (solar panels, electric poles, billboards etc)” during the forecast period. It also cautioned that landslides could occur in vulnerable areas of upper K-P, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir, while flash flooding is likely in local streams and nullahs across K-P, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, G-B, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan during periods of heavy rainfall.

The department further warned that heavy downpours may trigger urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan and Faisalabad between July 20 and July 23.

Advising the public to exercise caution, the Met Office urged tourists to avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period and asked farmers to plan agricultural activities according to the expected weather conditions while protecting livestock.

It also urged all concerned authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautionary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.