Wet spell likely to start from today

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday warned that the monsoon activity is expected to intensify across large parts of the country from July 18, with widespread rain, windstorms and thunderstorms forecast through July 25, raising the risk of flash floods, urban flooding and landslides.

In a weather advisory issued by the National Weather Forecasting Centre, the Met Office said monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are "continuously penetrating upper and central parts of the country" and are likely to strengthen over the weekend.

It added that a western disturbance is expected to approach the upper parts of the country on Monday, with the combined weather systems likely to trigger widespread rainfall.

Meanwhile, at least 38 people have been killed and 120 injured since the onset of the monsoon season on June 26, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa recording the highest death toll of 23, according to the NDMA latest daily situation report released on Friday.