Upper, central parts: More rains, thunderstorms from today to 15th expected

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more rain and thundershowers in the upper and central parts of the country from August 13 to 15 as strong monsoon currents continue to penetrate the northern regions, while a westerly weather system is also affecting the upper parts of Pakistan.

According to the Met Office, rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls, is expected in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northeast Punjab until August 15, with occasional breaks.

The forecast covers Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur in Kashmir. In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain is expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the affected districts include Upper and Lower Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Galliyat, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Haripur, Kurram and Khyber.

In Punjab, Murree, Sialkot, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib are expected to receive rain during the same period.

The Met Office said Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the Pothohar region are likely to receive rain, wind and thundershowers, with isolated heavy falls, from the evening or night of August 13 until August 15.

Rain and thundershowers are also expected in Sargodha, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Zhob, Barkhan and Musakhel through August 15.

For Sindh, the Met Office has forecast partly cloudy to cloudy weather over the southeastern and coastal districts. Rain and thundershowers are likely in Tharparkar, Umerkot and Sanghar on August 13 as well while hot and humid weather is expected to continue across the rest of the province during the next few days.

The PMD warned that heavy rainfall may trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore during the forecast period.

It also cautioned that landslides may occur in vulnerable areas 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.

The Met Office advised tourists and travellers to remain cautious during the forecast period. Farmers have also been urged to plan crop activities according to the weather conditions and ensure proper care of their livestock.

The PMD advised all concerned authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautionary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026