By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD – A fresh spell of monsoon rains is set to sweep across large parts of Pakistan from Saturday, bringing thunderstorms, isolated heavy downpours and cooler temperatures, while authorities have warned of possible urban flooding and flash floods in vulnerable areas.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Friday that monsoon currents were penetrating the upper parts of the country, while a westerly wave was expected to enter the region over the weekend and strengthen on Sept. 14.
According to the weather advisory, rain, wind and thundershowers are expected across Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan between Sept. 12 and Sept. 17, with occasional gaps.
In Punjab, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Gujrat, Kasur, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Jhang, Sahiwal, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and several other districts are likely to receive rain from Saturday evening.
Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang and Attock are also expected to experience rain and thunderstorms during the spell.
The PMD warned that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Faisalabad between Sept. 14 and Sept. 17.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also expected to receive widespread rainfall, including Peshawar, Swat, Chitral, Dir, Malakand, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohistan, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan.
The Met Office cautioned that intense rainfall could cause flash flooding in local streams and nullahs in parts of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Rain, wind and thunderstorms, including isolated heavy falls, have also been forecast for several parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar.
In Kashmir, intermittent rain and thunderstorms, along with isolated hailstorms, are expected in Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Rawalakot, Poonch, Bagh, Kotli, Mirpur and adjoining areas from Sept. 12 to Sept. 17.
Karachi, parts of Sindh also likely to receive rain
While most of Sindh is expected to remain hot and humid, the weather system is forecast to bring rain, wind and thunderstorms to Karachi and several other districts from the evening of Sept. 13 through Sept. 16.
Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Umarkot, Thatta and Badin could also receive rainfall, with isolated heavy falls possible.
Most parts of Balochistan are expected to experience hot and humid conditions, although Zhob, Barkhan and Musakhel and surrounding areas may receive rain between Sept. 13 and Sept. 16.
Landslide warning for hilly regions
The PMD warned that landslides could disrupt roads in vulnerable mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir.
Tourists and travellers have been advised to exercise caution, particularly when travelling through mountainous and flood-prone areas. Farmers have also been urged to plan agricultural activities in accordance with the latest weather forecasts.
The approaching system is expected to provide some relief from the prevailing heat, with temperatures likely to fall during the rainy spell, according to the Met Office.