The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a forecast for a fresh wave of monsoon rains sweeping across the country from July 29 through August 5. The department has cautioned about the possibility of urban flooding in major cities along with flash floods in local streams and nullahs.
Monsoon currents originating from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are expected to penetrate the upper and central regions starting July 29. Meanwhile, a westerly wave currently impacting northern areas is projected to intensify from August 1, bringing widespread rain and thunderstorms to most upper and central parts of Pakistan.
Rainfall accompanied by scattered heavy and occasionally very heavy showers is anticipated in cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, and Sialkot from July 29 to August 4, with intermittent breaks. Similar weather patterns are expected in Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Khushab, Mianwali, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Sargodha, Sahiwal, and Pakpattan.
From July 31 to August 3, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanpur, Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rajanpur are forecast to experience rain-wind and thunderstorms with scattered heavy showers.
In Sindh, rain and thunderstorms with isolated moderate to heavy falls are predicted in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Hyderabad, Karachi, Matiari, Jamshoro, and Shaheed Benazirabad from July 31 to August 2, with similar conditions expected in Ghotki, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Larkana, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, and Thatta.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will see widespread rain-wind and thunderstorms with scattered heavy and very heavy rainfall in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, and Lakki Marwat from July 29 to August 5, with occasional breaks. Additional rain is expected in Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, and Hangu during this period.
In Balochistan, rain-wind and thunderstorms with isolated heavy showers will affect Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibbi, Kalat, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Turbat, Kech, Panjgur, Ormara, Pasni, and Gwadar from the evening of July 31 to August 3.
Kashmir is expected to receive rain-wind and thunderstorms with scattered heavy and very heavy rainfall in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur from the night of July 28 until August 5. Gilgit-Baltistan will also experience rain-wind and thunderstorms with moderate to heavy rainfall in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar from the evening of July 28 to August 6.
The PMD has warned that heavy rains may trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad between July 30 and August 4. In Sindh, urban flooding is anticipated in Nawabshah, Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sanghar, Khairpur, Mithi, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tando Muhammad Khan, and Tando Allahyar from July 31 to August 2.
The department also highlighted the risk of landslides in vulnerable zones of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra, Haripur, and Abbottabad, as well as in Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir from July 30 to August 5. Flash floods may develop in local streams and nullahs across Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, and northeastern Balochistan during this forecast period.
Additionally, the PMD cautioned that heavy rains, windstorms, and lightning could damage vulnerable structures such as solar panels, electricity poles, and billboards. Tourists and travelers are urged to exercise caution throughout the rainy spell, while farmers are advised to adjust crop management and livestock care the prevailing weather conditions.
