MNN (Web Desk); The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday predicted widespread rain, strong winds, and thundershowers across most parts of the country in the coming days, with monsoon activity expected to intensify from August 17.
Since late June, flash floods and heavy rains have caused significant devastation, resulting in at least 312 deathsāincluding 142 childrenāand injuring 740 people, according to updated data from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The NDMA reported that since the deluge began on June 26, casualties include 113 men, 57 women, and 142 children. Injuries comprise 288 men, 209 women, and 243 children.
The latest weather advisory from the PMD highlights that monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are continuously affecting northern Pakistan, while moist air from the Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen midweek. Additionally, a westerly wave influencing the region will intensify from August 17.
Under these conditions, Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to experience rain, wind, and thundershowers with scattered heavy rainfall from August 14 to 17.
The wet spell is expected to continue from August 18 to 21 in northern areas including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, and parts of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will see widespread rains during August 18-21, with heavy to very heavy downpours forecasted in districts such as Dir, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, and Mardan.
Southern districts like Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Tank, and Dera Ismail Khan will also receive rainfall, with occasional heavy spells.
Punjab provinces, including Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Faisalabad, are expected to experience heavy rains from August 18-21, while southern districts will see scattered rain.
Parts of Balochistan, including Barkhan, Zhob, Khuzdar, Gwadar, and Panjgur, and Sindh districts such as Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and Tharparkar, are forecasted to receive rainfall between August 18-22.
The PMD warned of possible flash floods in streams and nullahs in KP, Murree, Galliyat, northeast Punjab, and AJK from August 15-21. Hill torrents may occur in Dera Ghazi Khan and eastern Balochistan during August 18-21.
Urban flooding is also expected in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Peshawar, and Nowshera during this period.
Landslides and mudslides may disrupt roads in hilly regions of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and AJK. Heavy rainfall, windstorms, and lightning could damage weak structures such as rooftops, mud walls, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels.
Authorities have advised the public, travelers, and tourists to avoid unnecessary journeys to vulnerable areas and to stay updated on weather developments. Relevant agencies have been urged to maintain high alert to mitigate any potential emergencies.
