The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday issued a forecast for a fresh spell on rain, wind and thundershowers in much of the country’s upper and central regions through the weekend, warning of potential urban and flash flooding in low-lying areas.
In its latest advisory, the Met Office said continuous monsoon currents are penetrating upper and central parts of Pakistan, alongside a westerly wave, bringing downpours from Aug. 22-23, with occasional gaps.
It said rain, wind and thunderstorms with isolated heavy downpours are expected across Islamabad and Punjab’s major cities and divisions, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Multan, from the night of Aug. 21 through the morning of Aug. 23.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, rains are forecast for the Hazara, Malakand, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat and DI Khan divisions. The weather system would also affect the entire Gilgit-Baltistan region and the Kashmir region, including Muzaffarabad and Mirpur.
Sindh and Balochistan are expected to remain mostly hot and humid, through isolated showers are expected in Balochistan’s Kalat and Zhob divisions.
The Met Office has warned that heavy rains could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Landslides are likely in the hilly terrains of Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir, GB and KP, while there is also a risk of flash floods in storm drains. It has urged travelers to exercise caution during the forecast period, while directing farmers to manage crop activities in view of the weather conditions.