ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a nationwide weather advisory, forecasting widespread monsoon rains, thunderstorms and isolated heavy downpours across southern and central Pakistan over the next three to four days.
According to the Met Office, an active low-pressure system over southwest Rajasthan and adjoining areas is strengthening monsoon currents over Pakistan, bringing rain to several parts of the country from July 25 to 28.
Rain Forecast Across Provinces
The PMD said Sindh is expected to receive widespread rain and thunderstorms, with heavy falls likely in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Hyderabad, Matiari, Jamshoro, Shaheed Benazirabad, Ghotki, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Thatta and adjoining districts. Karachi is also expected to experience cloudy weather with light rainfall during the forecast period.
In Punjab, rain-windstorms and thunderstorms are expected in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Vehari, Khanewal, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Kot Addu, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan and nearby areas. Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat and several central and northern districts are also likely to receive intermittent rainfall.
For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the PMD has forecast rain and thunderstorms in Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, Chitral, Dir, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohat, Bannu, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, Kurram, Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber and other districts through July 28.
In Balochistan, rain is expected mainly in Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Awaran and Khuzdar, with isolated heavy showers.
The Met Office also predicted intermittent rain in Gilgit-Baltistan, including Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Ghanche and Shigar, while Azad Jammu and Kashmir is expected to receive rain and thunderstorms in Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Rawalakot, Bagh, Haveli, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur and surrounding areas.
Flooding Warning Issued
The PMD warned that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Lahore, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Thatta, Badin, Sanghar, Khairpur, Mithi, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tando Muhammad Khan and Tando Allahyar between Friday and Sunday.
The department also cautioned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable structures and advised tourists, travellers and farmers to remain vigilant, protect livestock and plan agricultural activities according to the weather conditions.
Authorities on High Alert
The PMD urged all provincial and district administrations to stay alert during the forecast period.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said all relevant departments, district administrations, rescue services and emergency response teams had been placed on high alert across the province. He said machinery and water pumping equipment were being deployed to flood-prone areas and advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall.
Recent Monsoon Damage
The latest advisory comes as Pakistan continues to face severe monsoon impacts. At least 37 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents, including flash floods and landslides that have affected Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
Lahore recorded its heaviest rainfall of the current monsoon season, receiving 263 millimetres of rain around the airport and nearby areas, inundating roads and disrupting normal life, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported 20 rain-related fatalities so far.
Earlier this week, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal chaired a meeting of the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) to review provincial preparedness, drainage arrangements and emergency response measures for the ongoing monsoon season.
