‘Vigorous monsoon activity’ to hit country from tomorrow: PMD

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Saturday predicted that a new spell of heavy rains will hit the country from August 14 (Sunday) under “vigorous monsoon activity” and warned of urban flooding in various parts of Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh including Karachi.

The Met office said a depression has developed in Arabian Sea which is likely to move towards west along Makran coast. “Due to this weather system monsoon currents are continuously penetrating in southern parts of the country,” the PMD said in a statement.

Another low pressure (LPA) is likely to approach Sindh on August 16, it added.

“Rain-wind/thundershower (with few heavy falls) is expected in Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhuwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir from August 14-16 with occasional gaps,” said the PMD.

Likewise, the Met office said widespread rain-wind/thundershowers (with scattered heavy to very heavy falls) are expected in Sindh and Balochistan in the aforementioned period with occasional gaps.

Heavy Rains may generate urban flooding in Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad and Mirpurkhas from August 14 to 18.

Also read: Pakistan's coast in no danger from depression forming in Arabian Sea: PMD

Flash flooding is expected in Qilla Saifullah, Loralai, Barkhan, Kohlu, Mosa Khel, Sherani, Sibbi, Bolan, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Turbat, Panjgur, Pasni, Jiwani, Ormara, Gwadar and hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan during the forecast period.

“Torrential rains may generate urban flooding in Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Faisalabad, Lahore and Gujranwala on 14th (night) to 16th August.”

Rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, hilly areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Galiyat, Murree, Chillas, Diamir, Gilgit, Hunza, Astore, Ghizer and Skardu during the forecast period, as per the official statement.

The Met office advised the fisherman, travellers and tourists to remain more cautious from August 16 to 18.