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

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

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

He added that a Western Disturbance was expected to approach upper parts of the country on Monday, with combined weather systems likely to trigger widespread rainfall.

According to the PMD, rains accompanied by windstorms and thunderstorms, with “scattered falls at times very heavy”, are expected in Kashmir, particularly in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian Bala, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhnoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur, from evening or night from July 18 to July 25, with occasional interruptions.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rains are 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 evening or night from July 19 to July 23.

The department said that Islamabad and large parts of upper and central Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, 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 rain during 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 24.

Moderate to heavy rains are also forecast in Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, during the evening or night from July 18 to July 25.

Read also: PMD warns of floods and landslides across the country

In Balochistan, heavy rains are expected in the northeastern districts of Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Musakhel, Kohlu, Sibi, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti and Khuzdar during 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 rains and thunderstorms forecast at Tharparkar, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Dadu and Jacobabad from July 20 to 24.

The PMD warned that windstorms and lightning “could damage weak structures (solar panels, utility poles, billboards, etc.)” during the forecast period. He also warned that landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper KP, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir, while flash floods are likely in local streams and nullahs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, North East Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Dera Ghazi Khan hill streams and North East Balochistan during periods of heavy rain.

The department further warned that heavy downpours could trigger urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan and Faisalabad between July 20 and 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 their agricultural activities around expected weather conditions while protecting livestock. He also urged all concerned authorities to remain “vigilant” and take necessary precautionary measures to avoid any adverse situation during the forecast period.