The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a forecast indicating widespread rainfall, windstorms, and thundershowers across most regions of the country from July 18 to 25. The department cautioned about the potential for flash floods, landslides, and urban flooding in susceptible areas during this period.
Monsoon currents originating from the Arabian Sea are steadily advancing into the upper and central parts of Pakistan and are expected to intensify over the upcoming weekend. Meanwhile, a western disturbance is anticipated to reach the northern areas on Monday, which will enhance rainfall activity further.
Several districts including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, and Okara are likely to experience rain, windstorms, and thundershowers with intermittent heavy to very heavy downpours from the evening of July 19 through July 23.
Additionally, Noorpur Thal, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rahim Yar Khan, and Rajanpur are forecasted to receive rainfall between July 20 and 24.
In Sindh, most areas will remain hot and humid; however, isolated rain and thundershowers are expected in Tharparkar, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Dadu, and Jacobabad from the evening of July 20 to 24.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also expected to witness rain, windstorms, and thundershowers with scattered heavy to very heavy falls from the evening of July 19 to July 23. Districts such as Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, and Kohat will be affected. Similarly, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, and Hangu are predicted to experience comparable weather conditions during this timeframe.
Kashmir is forecasted to receive rain, windstorms, and thundershowers, with intermittent heavy to very heavy rainfall from the evening of July 18 to July 25. Areas likely to be impacted include Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, moderate to heavy rain accompanied by windstorms and thunderstorms is expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar from the evening of July 18 to 25.
Balochistan is also expected to experience rain, windstorms, and thundershowers with isolated heavy rainfall in Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibi, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, and Khuzdar from the evening of July 19 to 23.
The PMD warned that heavy rainfall may lead to urban flooding in cities such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan, and Faisalabad between July 20 and 23. Landslides are also possible in vulnerable locations including upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir during July 20 to 25.
Furthermore, flash flooding could occur in local streams and nullahs across Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, KP, GB, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, and northeastern Balochistan throughout the forecast period.
The department advised tourists and travelers to avoid unnecessary journeys while urging farmers to adjust crop management and livestock care in accordance with the expected weather conditions. The current hot and humid weather is anticipated to ease during this period.
