.By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread monsoon rainfall, windstorms and thunderstorms across large parts of the country from July 18 to July 25, warning of possible flash floods, urban flooding and damage from strong winds and lightning.
According to a weather advisory issued on Friday, strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are continuously affecting the upper and central parts of Pakistan and are expected to intensify over the weekend. A westerly weather system is also likely to enter the country’s northern regions on Monday, further strengthening rainfall activity.
The PMD said Azad Jammu and Kashmir is expected to receive intermittent rain and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall, from July 18 to July 25. Areas likely to be affected include Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Rawalakot, Poonch, Bagh, Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber, Haveli, Sudhnoti and Hattian Bala.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, widespread rain and thunderstorms are forecast between the night of July 19 and July 23. Heavy rainfall is expected in several districts, including Peshawar, Swat, Chitral, Dir, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand and Khyber.
Punjab is also likely to experience widespread monsoon activity. The PMD forecast rain and thunderstorms, accompanied by heavy to very heavy falls, in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Murree, Rawalpindi Division and adjoining districts from July 19 to July 23. Southern and central Punjab, including Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalnagar, are expected to receive rain from July 20 to July 24.
Gilgit-Baltistan is also expected to witness moderate to heavy rainfall from July 18 to July 25, particularly in Diamer, Astore, Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Ghanche, Ghizer and Shigar.
In Balochistan, northeastern districts such as Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Sibi, Barkhan, Dera Bugti and Khuzdar are likely to receive rain and thunderstorms between July 19 and July 23.
Most parts of Sindh are expected to remain hot and humid. However, isolated rain and thunderstorms are forecast in Tharparkar, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Dadu and Jacobabad from July 20 to July 24.
The PMD warned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable infrastructure, including electricity poles, billboards and solar panels. It also cautioned that heavy rainfall may trigger flash floods in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, while urban flooding could occur in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan.
The department advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas during the forecast period and urged farmers to plan agricultural activities in line with the expected weather conditions. It also called on relevant authorities to remain alert and take precautionary measures to minimise the impact of heavy rainfall.
