Monsoon rains across Pakistan, Urban flooding alert issued

Islamabad – There is good news for people struggling with the summer heat as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast monsoon rains across the country during the first week of July.

Rainfall is expected in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan and many parts of Sindh between July 1 and July 6.

According to the PMD, a western weather system is likely to enter Pakistan on the evening or night of June 30 while moist winds from the Arabian Sea will move into the eastern and central parts of the country. Starting July 2, moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal are also expected to reach the upper regions. Under this weather system:

• Punjab and Kashmir are expected to receive rain with thunderstorms from July 1 to July 6.
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to experience similar weather from July 1 to July 5.
• Northern and northeastern Balochistan may receive rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms from July 1 to July 4.

In Sindh, rainfall is expected on July 3 and 4 in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Larkana and surrounding districts. However, Karachi is not expected to receive rain at this stage.

The Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rainfall may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Nowshera and Faisalabad between July 1 and July 4.

Additionally, from July 2 to July 6, there is a risk of landslides and flash flooding in streams and rivers in the mountainous regions of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Azad Kashmir.

Authorities have advised the public to stay away from weak structures, electricity poles and billboards during rain and windstorms and to exercise extreme caution while traveling during adverse weather conditions.