Pakistan Braces for Three-Day Spell of Rain

 

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy showers, in upper and central parts of the country from August 13 to 15.

According to the PMD, monsoon currents are moving into the upper regions, while a westerly weather system is also influencing the country. The combination of these systems is expected to bring rain and thunderstorms to several areas, with occasional breaks during the forecast period.

Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and northeastern Punjab are likely to receive rain and thundershowers from the night of August 12 through August 15. Areas expected to be affected include Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Gilgit, Skardu, Chitral, Swat, Abbottabad, Galiyat, Peshawar, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and nearby districts.

Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and the Pothohar region are also expected to experience rain and thunderstorms from the evening or night of August 13 until August 15, with intermittent breaks.

The weather system is further expected to affect Sargodha, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Parts of Balochistan, including Zhob, Barkhan, and Musakhel, may also experience rain and thunderstorms during the same period.

In Sindh, southeastern and coastal areas are expected to remain partly cloudy to cloudy. Tharparkar, Umerkot, and Sanghar may receive rain and thundershowers on August 12 and 13, while hot and humid conditions are likely to continue in other parts of the province.

The PMD has warned that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, and Lahore. There is also a risk of landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat, and Kashmir.

The department has advised tourists and travelers to remain cautious during the forecast period. Farmers have also been encouraged to plan agricultural activities according to the expected weather and take suitable measures to protect livestock.