Widespread monsoon rains to continue till August 14

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread monsoon rains/thundershowers with isolated heavy falls in different parts of the country till August 14.

Talking to APP, Director General PMD, Arif Mehmood said that more monsoon rains were expected in upper parts of the country with isolated heavy falls in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Bannu, Kohat and Peshawar which can cause flash floods in low lying areas.

Arif said the rainspell is likely to continue during this week, the weather system will move toward southern Punjab and Sindh from August 10 and continue till August 14.

The widespread rains are expected in Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad and Karachi with isolated heavy falls in Thatha, Badin and Mithi during the period, he said.

He said that monsoon is likely to remain active over the country during current and coming week.

During this active phase, two to three strong weather systems are expected to approach the country that would bring widespread rains for different parts of the country.

There is possibility of localized urban/flash flooding in the vulnerable areas of northeast Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and south-west Punjab would remain high during heavy spells of monsoon rainfall.

According to the flood forecasting division, River Chenab at Khanki and Baloki is in low flood while at Marala it is in medium to high flood.

Strong monsoon currents are reaching most parts of the country. A well marked seasonal low lies over northwest Balochistan with its trough extending southeast ward while western disturbance is present over northern area and Kashmir.

The rainfall recorded in different cities till filing of this news item was Islamabad; Saidpur 176 mm, Zero Point 30 mm, Golra 27 mm and Rawalpindi 5 mm, Lahore Airport 111 mm, city 85 mm, Okara 80 mm, D I Khan 62 mm, Sialkot 59 mm, Dir 55 mm, Peshawar 47 mm and Risalpur 46 mm.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011