Fresh monsoon spell set to drench Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday said a fresh monsoon spell is set to begin in the country from the first week of July.

In an advisory, the department said a westerly wave is likely to enter the upper parts of the country from June 30. At the same time, "moist currents from the Arabian Sea are continuously penetrating the eastern and central parts of the country."

It said moist currents from the Bay of Bengal were expected to reach the upper parts from July 2. Under the influence of this system, scattered rain, windstorm/thundershower, accompanied by isolated heavy falls, are expected in Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur from July 1 to July 6.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, scattered rain, windstorm/thundershower (with isolated heavy falls) are expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu, Waziristan, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan from July 1 to July 5 with occasional gaps.

Rainfall is also predicted from July 1 to July 6 in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, and Narowal.

Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Pakpattan, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Okara, Kasur, Noor Pur Thal, Bhakkar, Layyah, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, DG Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur are slated to receive rain from July 3 to July 5.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar from July 1 to July 5 with occasional gaps.

In Balochistan, rainfall is expected in the northern and northeastern parts of the province, including Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Harnai, Sibbi, Barkhan, and Dera Bugti from July 1-4.

In Sindh, rain is predicted in Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, and Naushahro Feroze on July 3 and July 4.

The department warned that the weather may damage infrastructure, such as solar panels, electric poles and billboards. It also indicated a possibility of landslides in vulnerable areas of upper K-P, G-B, and Kashmir from July 1 to July 6.

The PMD also warned of flash flooding in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, K-P, G-B and hill torrents of DG Khan from July 2 to July 5.

It further warned of urban/flash flooding in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad from July 1 to July 4.

It advised tourists to remain cautious and avoid travel during the forecast period. It further advised farmers to manage their crop activity accordingly and added that prevailing hot and humid conditions would likely subside during this period.