Weather alert on monsoon rains issued

ISLAMABAD:

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the meteorological authorities have issued nationwide weather alerts as an active monsoon system is set to bring widespread rain and thunderstorms to large parts of the country from Tuesday, raising the risk of flash floods, urban flooding and landslides.

The NDMA, citing an assessment by its National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), said no large-scale river flooding was expected despite a projected rise in water levels in the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers.

However, intermittent heavy rainfall between July 7 and 10 could trigger flash floods in hill torrents and seasonal streams, inundate low-lying urban areas and cause landslides in mountainous regions, it added.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said moist currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, coupled with a westerly weather system, would bring rain, windstorms and thunderstorms to Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Islamabad, the Potohar region, northern and central Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of northern Balochistan through Wednesday.

Sindh is expected to remain mostly hot and humid, although isolated showers are forecast in upper districts. The PMD warned that heavy rain could cause urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Peshawar and Nowshera.

It added that landslides remain a threat in vulnerable areas of K-P, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Windstorms and lightning may also damage vulnerable structures, including electricity poles, billboards and solar panels.

In Balochistan, active monsoon conditions are expected on July 7 and 8 (today and tomorrow), with thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast for Harnai, Loralai, Sibi, Barkhan, Musa Khel, Khuzdar, Dera Bugti and adjoining areas.

Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Naseerabad and Duki are also likely to receive rain, with officials warning of flooding in seasonal streams and water accumulation in low-lying areas. The NDMA and provincial disaster management authorities have directed all emergency agencies to ensure preparedness.

Travellers have been advised to avoid unnecessary journeys, particularly on mountain roads and near streams, while tourists have been urged to stay away from flood-prone areas and monitor official weather advisories throughout the monsoon spell.