Fresh monsoon spell to hit Pakistan from July 29

Pakistan is expected to receive another widespread spell of monsoon rains from July 29 to August 5, with the weather

Pakistan is expected to receive another widespread spell of monsoon rains from July 29 to August 5, with the weather system likely to affect several parts of the country.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of heavy and very heavy rainfall in several areas. It has also cautioned about urban flooding, flash floods and landslides.

According to the weather advisory, moist monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are expected to enter the upper and central parts of the country from July 29.

A westerly weather system affecting northern areas is also likely to strengthen from August 1. It may bring widespread rain and thunderstorms to upper and central regions.

Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree and the Galliyat are expected to receive rain and thunderstorms from July 29 to August 4. Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot and nearby areas may also experience heavy rainfall.

Several districts of central and southern Punjab are also likely to receive rain. These include Lahore, Narowal, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sargodha and Sahiwal.

Southern Punjab may see rainfall between July 31 and August 3. Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur are among the areas expected to be affected.

Sindh is likely to receive rain from July 31 to August 2. Karachi, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar and several other districts may experience thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall.

Other parts of Sindh, including Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Ghotki, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Thatta, are also expected to receive rain.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is likely to face widespread rain and thunderstorms from July 29 to August 5. Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and several other districts may receive heavy or very heavy rain.

Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai and Waziristan are also expected to experience rainfall during the forecast period.

Balochistan is likely to receive rain and thunderstorms from July 31 to August 3. Zhob, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibi, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Turbat, Panjgur, Gwadar and several surrounding areas may be affected.

Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are also expected to receive rain and thunderstorms. Kashmir may experience rainfall from the night of July 28 to August 5, while parts of Gilgit-Baltistan may remain affected until August 6.

The PMD has issued a specific warning about urban flooding. Low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad could face flooding between July 30 and August 4.

Several cities and districts in Sindh may also face urban flooding from July 31 to August 2. These include Hyderabad, Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Thatta, Badin, Sanghar, Khairpur, Mithi, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot.

The weather department has also warned of landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas. Upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir could be affected.

Heavy rainfall may also cause flash floods in streams and nullahs. Hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan and parts of northeastern Balochistan could also experience sudden flooding.

Strong winds and lightning may damage weak structures during the spell. Solar panels, electricity poles, billboards and other vulnerable installations could be affected.

The PMD has advised tourists and travellers to exercise caution during the rainy period. People travelling through mountainous areas have been urged to remain alert.

Farmers have also been advised to plan agricultural activities according to weather conditions. They have been asked to take precautionary measures to protect crops and livestock.