Intermittent heavy rain between July 7 and 10 may trigger flash flooding in hill streams and seasonal rivers.
ISLAMABAD:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and weather authorities have issued nationwide weather alerts as an active monsoon system is expected to bring widespread rain and thunderstorms to large parts of the country from Tuesday, increasing the risk of flash floods, urban flooding and landslides.
The NDMA, citing an assessment by its National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), said no large-scale river flooding was expected despite a predicted increase in water levels in the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers.
However, intermittent heavy rains between July 7 and 10 could trigger flash floods in hill streams and seasonal rivers, inundate low-lying urban areas and cause landslides in mountainous regions, the statement added.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said moist currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal coupled with a westerly weather system would bring rain, windstorms and thunderstorms to Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Islamabad, Potohar region, north and central Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of northern Punjab. Balochistan until Wednesday.
Sindh is expected to remain generally hot and humid, although isolated showers are forecast in upper districts. The PMD warned that heavy rains could cause urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Peshawar and Nowshera.
He added that landslides remain a threat in vulnerable areas of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Windstorms and lightning can also damage vulnerable structures, including utility poles, billboards and solar panels.
In Balochistan, active monsoon conditions are expected on July 7 and 8 (today and tomorrow), with thunderstorms and heavy rains forecast for Harnai, Loralai, Sibi, Barkhan, Musa Khel, Khuzdar, Dera Bugti and adjacent areas.
Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Naseerabad and Duki are also expected to receive rain, with authorities warning of flooding in seasonal rivers and accumulation of water in low-lying areas. The NDMA and provincial disaster management authorities have asked all emergency agencies to ensure preparedness.
Travelers have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, especially on mountain roads and near streams, while tourists have been asked to stay away from flood-prone areas and monitor official weather advisories throughout the monsoon.
