The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has on Sunday issued a countrywide advisory of heavy monsoon rain, warning that from Monday night onwards there could be hailstorms resulting in urban flooding, as reported by Dawn.
PMD said that moist currents from the Arabian Sea are expected to enter the upper parts of Pakistan while a wave from the west is likely to enter the region. The weather system is expected to last till July 8, with district administrations being cautioned to remain alert in order to avoid flood-like situations.
Rain, thunderstorms, and scattered hailstorms are expected in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Bannu, Lakki, Marwat, Kohat, Mianwali, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh from July 3 – July 8.
Rain/wind-thundershower with isolated heavy falls expected in Barkhan, Loralai, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Kalat, Khuzdar, Zhob, Lasbella, Awaran, Musakhel, D.I Khan, Bannu, Karak, Waziristan, D.G. Khan, Rajanpur, Multan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Adu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sahiwal and Okara from July 5- July 8.
Rain/wind-thundershower with isolated heavy falls expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad Ghotki, Shaheed Benazirabad, Larkana, Mithi, Chhor, Padidan, Nagarparkar, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Sanghar, Mirpur Khas, Dadu, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad and Karachi on July 7 and the next day.
From July 4- July 7, low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala and Lahore are at risk of urban flooding caused by heavy rain. The downpour may also trigger landslides in vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
From July 6-July 8, heavy rainfall may cause flash floods in the hill torrent areas of D.G. Khan and adjoining areas of northeast Baluchistan.
Farmers and tourists have been cautioned to plan their activities keeping in mind the weather forecast.
The public has also been cautioned to avoid areas with loose structures during the heavy spells of rain, such as electric poles, solar panels, etc.
