ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more monsoon rains in different parts of the country during this week which could cause flash flooding in the urban areas and trigger landslides in vulnerable areas.
The strong monsoon currents are likely to penetrate in upper and central parts of the country from July 20 (Wednesday) and likely to spread to the other parts of the country from July 21 (Thursday).
Under the influence of this weather system, more rain-wind/thundershower with scattered heavy falls are expected in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Kohat from July 20-26 with occasional gaps.
More rain-wind/thundershower with isolated heavy falls is expected in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Sahiwal, Okara, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Vehari, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahimyar Khan and Khanpur from July 21-26 with occasional gaps.
More rain-wind/thundershower with few heavy falls are expected in Zhob, Ziarat, Barkhan, Loralai, Bolan, Kohlu, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, and Sibbi from July 22-26 while in all districts of Sindh from July 24-26.
About the impacts, the met office said that heavy rains may generate urban flooding in Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Faisalabad, Lahore, and Gujranwala from July 20 to July 23. While in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Shaheed Benazirabad, Jamshoro, Mirpurkhas, Dadu, Umer Kot, Jaccobabad, Larkana, and Sukkur from July 24-26.
Flash flooding is also expected in local Nullahs of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Dir, and Kashmir from July 20-23 while in Loralai, Barkhan, Kohlu, Mosa Khel, Sherani, Sibbi, Bolan, and hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan from July 22-25.
Rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, Galiyat, Murree, Chillas, Diamir, Gilgit, Hunza, Astore, and Skardu during the forecast period. Travelers and tourists are advised to remain more cautious during the forecast period. Farmers are advised to arrange the watering of the fields accordingly.
All concerned authorities are advised to remain alert and to take necessary precautionary measure during the forecast period.