'Heavy rainfall' to hit most parts of country from Thursday

Met Office warns rains may generate urban flooding; asks travellers, tourists to take extra caution

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday advised the relevant authorities to remain alert in the wake of monsoon rains starting from Thursday (June 30) in most parts of the country.

According to the advisory, moist currents from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are likely to enter the upper parts of the country from tomorrow (Wednesday) which may intensify and expand to the southern parts by the end of the current week.

Under the influence of the system, rain-windstorm or thundershower is expected in Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahuddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Okara, Sahiwal and Bahawalnagar from June 30 to July 4.

The Met Office added that isolated heavy falls were also expected in the areas during the aforesaid period.

Meanwhile, rain-windstorm or thundershowers with isolated heavy falls are expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Dadu, Zhob, Ziarat, Barkhan, Loralai, Kohlu, Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Naseerabad and Sibbi between July 1 to 5, it maintained.

Also read: Karachi receives first spell of monsoon rains

About the possible impact of rain, the PMD warned that heavy falls may generate urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Faisalabad from July 2 to 4 and in Karachi and Hyderabad, from July 3 to 5, advising fishermen to remain careful due to rough sea conditions during the time-span.

It further warned that flash-flooding is also expected in local nullahs of Kashmir, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Naseerabad, Awaran, Barkhan and Kohlu during the aforementioned period, and added that heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, Galiyat and Murree.

The rising temperatures, the advisory noted, are likely to subside during the forecast period but windstorms may damage loose structures at vulnerable locations.

It further observed that rainwater would be beneficial for the sowing of rice crops.

The PMD advised travellers and tourists to remain extra cautious during the forecast period.