The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecast more monsoon rains from Aug. 14-18, adding “torrential” rainfall was predicted from Aug. 14-16.
In an advisory, the Met Office noted that a low-pressure front, presently giving rain over northwestern parts of India, was likely to move toward the central parts of Pakistan over the next few days. This front, it said, is carrying strong moisture from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. At the same time, it said, a westerly wave was likely to approach the upper parts of the country on Aug. 15. This weather system, it said, would trigger rains in much of the country.
In Kashmir, said the PMD, rain-wind/thundershower, with a few heavy falls, were expected in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from the evening of Aug. 14 through Aug. 18, with “occasional” gaps.
In Punjab and Islamabad, it said rain-wind/thundershower with scattered heavy falls were predicted for the federal capital and Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, Khushab and Sargodha from Aug. 14-18, with occasional gaps. In southern Punjab, it said, rain-wind/thundershower was expected in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Khanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan and Layyah from Aug. 15-18.
For Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the Met Office said rain-wind/thundershowers with scattered heavy falls were expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Hangu, Kurram, Orakzai, Waziristan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan from Aug. 14-18 with occasional gaps.
Similarly, in Balochistan, rain-wind/thundershower with isolated heavy falls were forecast for Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Kalat, Zhob, Barkhan, Musa Khel, Mastung, Sibbi, Sherani, Kohlu, Bolan, Harnai, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad and Makran coast from Aug. 15-18 with occasional gaps. In Sindh, rain-wind/thundershowers were predicted at isolated places in Mithi, Sanghar, Mityari, Umarkot, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad and Dadu from Aug. 15-18 with occasional gaps. Light rain with cloudy condition was forecast along the Sindh coast during the same period.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, the Met Office said partly cloudy to cloudy weather condition were expected, with rainfall in Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar from Aug. 15-18 with occasional gaps.
The PMD warned the forecast torrential rains could generate flash flooding in local nullahs/streams of Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, and northeast Punjab. Similarly, it said it could trigger hill torrents in D.G Khan, Kalat, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Lasbella and Kashmir from Aug. 14-16.
The predicted heavy downpours might similarly cause urban flooding in low lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera and Peshawar from Aug. 14-16.
The advisory also warned of landslides in the vulnerable hilly areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during the wet period. It urged all authorities concerned to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation.