Key Takeaways
- The Pakistan Meteorological Department predicts widespread rain, windstorms, and thundershowers across the country.
- Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan will experience heavy to very heavy falls from July 18 to 25.
- Urban flooding is expected in low-lying areas of major cities like Islamabad and Lahore.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning that monsoon currents are continuously penetrating the upper and central parts of Pakistan, bringing with them widespread rain, windstorms, and thundershowers. The Met Office expects these conditions to intensify over the weekend.
According to the PMD, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall from July 18 to 25, affecting areas such as Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Mirpur, Diamir, Astore, Skardu, and Gilgit. The weather system is also expected to bring significant precipitation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the Punjab-Islamabad region between July 19 and 23.
Southern Punjab districts like Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Bahawalpur are predicted to experience these conditions from July 20 to 24. Meanwhile, Balochistan will see rain and windstorms with isolated heavy falls in its northern and northeastern parts, including Zhob, Loralai, Sibbi, and Khuzdar.
In Sindh, while most parts of the province are expected to remain hot and highly humid, isolated rain and thundershowers are likely to provide some relief in Tharparkar, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana, and Dadu between July 20 and 24. Karachi is forecasted to receive light rain and drizzle with partly cloudy skies this weekend, with temperatures dropping to a minimum of 28°C.
The Met Office has issued stern warnings regarding the potential impacts of this weather system. Intense windstorms and lightning may damage weak infrastructure such as solar panels, electricity poles, and billboards. Landslides are also likely in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir from July 20 to 25.
Heavy downpours are expected to cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan, and Faisalabad between July 20 to 23. Additionally, heavy rains are likely to trigger flash flooding in local streams, nullahs, and the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan.
Tourists and travellers are advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during this wet spell. Farmers have been urged to manage their agricultural activities and take proper care of their livestock in accordance with the forecast. The PMD noted that the prevailing hot and humid conditions are likely to subside during this period, and all concerned authorities have been advised to remain highly vigilant to avoid any untoward situations.
