Pakistan Braces for First Monsoon Spell as Heavy Rain and Flash Flood Risks Loom
Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast the country’s first major monsoon spell beginning Wednesday, warning of heavy rainfall, flash floods and urban flooding in several regions between July 1 and July 6.
According to the PMD and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), intermittent rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, and several districts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, northern Balochistan and upper Sindh.
The weather authorities warned that northeastern Punjab and the Potohar region could experience torrential downpours, increasing the risk of urban flooding in low-lying areas.
In southern Punjab, including Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Bhakkar, and Mianwali, rainfall is expected between July 3 and July 5.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds is forecast from July 1 to July 5, particularly in the upper and mountainous districts. Authorities have warned of possible flash flooding in local streams and hill torrents in Dir, Swat, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Shangla, and surrounding areas.
Heavy rainfall may also trigger landslides and localized flooding in the mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Residents of Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza, Diamer, Ghizer, Shigar, Ghanche, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Rawalakot, Bagh, Haveli, Poonch, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur have been advised to take precautionary measures.
In Balochistan, rain and thunderstorms are expected between July 1 and July 4 in Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Sibi, Kohlu, Harnai, Nasirabad, and Dera Bugti.
Meanwhile, parts of Sindh, including Larkana, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Dadu, Kashmore, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Naushahro Feroze, are likely to receive rainfall on July 3 and July 4.
The PMD and NDMA have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel through low-lying areas, underpasses and near seasonal streams during periods of heavy rainfall, warning that flash floods and urban flooding could develop rapidly in vulnerable locations.
