Monsoon showers likely to begin today

PMD warns of flash, urban flooding in northeastern Balochistan, northern Punjab

KARACHI/ ISLAMABD:

Heavy rains were expected to continue in Punjab, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), and the northeastern region of Balochistan, according to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday.

Weather experts warned that torrential rains could cause flash floods in AJK, northeastern Balochistan, and the hilly streams of Dera Ghazi Khan in a day or two. Urban flooding was anticipated in the Pothohar region, upper Punjab.

Wind and thunderstorms were expected in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Narowal, Sialkot, Lahore, Layyah, Bhakkar, Taunsa, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Sahiwal, Okara, Khanewal, Bahawalnagar, and Bahawalpur.

Severe rainfall also posed risk of landslides in Murree, Galyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, potentially disrupting traffic, the PMD forecast. In most districts of Balochistan, the weather would remain hot and humid, it added.

However, rain with strong winds and thunderstorms was expected in Zhob, Barkhan, Kohlu, Sherani, Musakhel, Loralai, Khuzdar, Awaran, Lasbela, and surrounding areas, with heavy rain likely in some places.

In Lahore on Sunday, intermittent light and heavy rainfall made the weather pleasant, with the mercury dropping by approximately 12 degrees Celsius. On Monday, it added, Lahore would see a mix of sun and clouds, with chances of light to heavy rain at night.

According to the PMD, the minimum temperatures in Lahore were expected to hover between 22-33 degrees Celsius, as the monsoon rain system was likely to move out of the Punjab capital by Monday.

The PMD’s Early Warning System warned the residents of Karachi and other parts of Sindh to prepare for potential thunderstorms, strong winds, and lightning expected from Monday.

It said that Karachi was expected to receive rain from July 8 to 10, adding that the monsoon winds sweeping into the region could trigger rainfall in districts, including Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Dadu, and Jacobabad.

With the monsoon’s arrival, most of the province would continue to endure hot and humid weather. However, coastal areas like Karachi were forecast to receive isolated showers. Temperatures were expected to range between 37 to 39 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a separate alert, warning of potential floods and glacier bursts in 11 districts and instructed the authorities concerned to remain vigilant.

The the PDMA said that thunderstorms and heavy rains were expected in the mountainous areas of K-P and there was a possibility of dusty winds and floods in low-lying areas. The PDMA highlighted that rising temperatures and melting glaciers could lead to flooding.