ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert, forecasting widespread monsoon rains Pakistan from July 18 to July 25, with warnings of flash floods, urban flooding and landslides in several parts of the country.
According to the latest PMD weather forecast, strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are continuously entering the upper and central regions of Pakistan and are expected to intensify over the weekend. A western weather system is also likely to reach the country's northern areas on Monday, further increasing rainfall activity.
The PMD said Kashmir will experience widespread rain, windstorms and thunderstorms from the evening of July 18 until July 25. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Bagh, Kotli, Mirpur and other surrounding districts.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, widespread rain and thunderstorms are forecast from July 19 to 23. Areas including Swat, Dir, Chitral, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and the merged tribal districts are likely to receive heavy downpours.
Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree and Galliyat, along with several districts of Punjab, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Jhelum and Sargodha, are also expected to witness heavy rainfall between July 19 and 23. Southern Punjab districts such as Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan are likely to receive rain from July 20 to 24.
Gilgit-Baltistan is forecast to receive moderate to heavy rainfall from July 18 to 25, while parts of Balochistan, including Zhob, Sibi, Khuzdar and Dera Bugti, may experience rain and thunderstorms from July 19 to 23.
Although most parts of Sindh are expected to remain hot and humid, isolated showers are likely in Tharparkar, Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu and Jacobabad between July 20 and 24.
The PMD has warned that the Pakistan weather update could bring flash floods in local streams and hill torrents, especially in northern and mountainous regions. Urban flooding is also expected in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar and Sialkot, while landslides may disrupt travel in Murree, Galliyat, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. Authorities have advised the public to remain cautious and follow official weather advisories during the forecast period.
