Monsoon rains spell begins tomorrow

Met Office forecasts higher than normal showers over the next week

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast on Tuesday that the monsoon rains would start in the country from Thursday (tomorrow), in the wake of moist currents from Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

The PMD said that the moist currents would enter the upper parts of the country on June 29 (Wednesday) and likely intensify and expand to the southern parts by the end of this week. It advised the authorities concerned to remain alert in view of the rain forecast.

“Under the influence of this, rain, windstorm and thundershower are expected in Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Punjab between June 30 and July 4,” the PMD said, adding that Isolated heavy falls were also expected during the period.

“Rain-windstorm/thundershower 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 and July 5,” the PMD further said.

About the possible impact of the rain, the Met Office warned that heavy falls might generate urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad between July 2 and July 4, while in Karachi and Hyderabad between July 3 and July 5.

“Heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, Galiyat and Murree, while flash flooding is expected in local nullahs of Kashmir, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Naseerabad, Awaran, Barkhan and Kohlu during the forecast period,” the department said.

According to the Met Office, the current spell of rains would be higher than usual this year. It advised fishermen to remain careful due to rough sea conditions from July 3-5, while travellers and tourists had also been advised to remain extra cautious.

The PMD said that the rising temperatures would subside but windstorms might damage loose structures at vulnerable locations. However, it added that rainwater would be beneficial for the sowing of the rice crop. Travellers and tourists had also been advised to remain extra cautious.

(With input from APP)