Monsoon showers likely to lash Karachi, Lahore, other cities: PMD

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday forecast another widespread spell of monsoon rains across the country from July 29 to August 5, with Karachi and Lahore among the major cities expected to receive rain.

The Met Office also warned of possible urban flooding, flash floods, landslides and windstorm-related damage in several regions during the forecast period.

According to the PMD, strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal will begin affecting upper and central parts of the country from July 29, while a westerly weather system is expected to intensify from August 1.

In Punjab and Islamabad, rain and thunderstorms, including scattered heavy to very heavy falls, are expected from July 29 to August 4 in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Narowal, Okara and several other districts. Southern Punjab, including Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan, is likely to receive rain from July 31 to August 3.

Karachi is expected to receive rain and thunderstorms with isolated moderate to heavy falls from the evening of July 31 until August 2. Similar weather is forecast for Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad and several other districts of Sindh.

The PMD also forecast widespread rainfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of Balochistan during the period, with heavy to very heavy falls expected in some areas.

The Met Office warned that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad between July 30 and August 4. In Sindh, urban flooding is possible in Nawabshah, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sanghar, Khairpur, Mithi, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tando Muhammad Khan and Tando Allahyar from July 31 to August 2.

It further cautioned that flash floods may occur in local streams and nullahs across Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, the Dera Ghazi Khan hill torrents and northeastern Balochistan. Landslides are also likely in vulnerable mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir.

The PMD warned that heavy rain, strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including solar panels, electricity poles and billboards. It advised tourists and travellers to exercise caution, while urging farmers to plan agricultural activities according to the weather conditions. The department also asked all relevant authorities to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to deal with any emergencies.