Fresh monsoon spell to lash Pakistan from August 13

Pakistan is set to receive another spell of monsoon rainfall from August 13 to 15, with the upper and

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to receive another spell of monsoon rainfall from August 13 to 15, with the upper and central parts of the country expected to experience rain, thunderstorms and occasional heavy downpours.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department said on Wednesday that monsoon currents were entering the upper parts of the country while a westerly wave was also influencing the weather system.

Rain and thunderstorms are expected across parts of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Several districts, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Mirpur, Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Hunza and Gilgit, are likely to receive rainfall.

Several areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also expected to experience showers. The affected districts include Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Galiyat, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi and Haripur.

In northeastern Punjab, rain is expected from the night of August 12 through August 15. Murree, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib are among the areas likely to receive showers.

The weather system is also expected to affect Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the Pothohar region from the night of August 13 to August 15. The Met Office has forecast rain, strong winds and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls.

Other parts of Punjab, including Sargodha, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan, are also likely to receive rainfall between August 12 and 15. Parts of Balochistan, including Zhob, Barkhan and Musakhel, may also experience showers.

In Sindh, partly cloudy to cloudy conditions are expected in southeastern and coastal areas. Tharparkar, Umerkot and Sanghar may receive rain and thunderstorms on August 12 and 13, while hot and humid conditions are expected elsewhere in the province.

The Met Office has warned of urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore.

There is also a risk of landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas of upper KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir. Authorities have urged residents and visitors in these areas to remain cautious.

Tourists have been advised to take extra care while travelling to mountainous regions during the wet spell. Farmers have also been asked to plan agricultural activities according to the changing weather conditions.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority, 155 people have died and 460 have been injured in rain-related incidents during the ongoing monsoon season.