The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday issued an advisory forecasting widespread rain, windstorms and thundershowers across the country over the next week with the strengthening of monsoon currents.
The weather advisory says that “monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea were continuously penetrating the upper and central parts of the country and were likely to strengthen over the weekend.” It said a westerly disturbance was also expected to approach the upper parts of the country on Monday (July 20).
Under the influence of the weather system, the Met Office said rain, windstorms/thundershowers, accompanied by scattered heavy to very heavy falls at times, are expected in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian Bala, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhnoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from July 18-25, with occasional gaps.
Similar conditions, accompanied by scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall, are expected in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan and Hangu from the night of July 19-23.
According to the PMD, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot and Narowal are expected to receive rain, windstorms/thundershowers, accompanied by scattered heavy to very heavy falls, from the night of July 19-23.
Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Okara, Noorpur Thal, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur have been forecast to receive rain and thunderstorms from July 20-24, with occasional gaps. Heavy rainfall is also expected during the period.
In Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, rain, windstorms/thundershowers, accompanied by moderate to heavy falls, are expected from July 18-25, with occasional gaps.
The PMD has forecast rain, windstorms/thundershowers, accompanied by isolated heavy falls for Balochistan’s northeastern districts of Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibi, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti and Khuzdar from July 19-23.
The department said most parts of Sindh were likely to remain hot and very humid. However, isolated rain/thunderstorms are expected in Tharparkar, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Dadu and Jacobabad from July 20-24.
The advisory warns that strong winds and lightning could damage weak structures, including electric poles, billboards and solar panels. It has also warned that heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods in local streams and nullahs in upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, while urban flooding was possible in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan and Faisalabad from July 20-23.
The PMD has advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas during the forecast period and urged farmers to plan agricultural activities in view of the expected weather conditions. It has also asked all relevant authorities to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents.