Heavy rain threat looms over Islamabad, Rawalpindi
News Desk
Islamabad: Northern Pakistan is facing renewed weather-related risks after heavy rainfall lashed parts of the region, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasting another spell of rain and thunderstorms for Wednesday.
Rawalpindi emerged as the worst-hit area in terms of recorded rainfall, receiving up to 201 mm at Shamsabad during the previous 24 hours. Chaklala recorded 191 mm, while New Kattarian received 187 mm.
Islamabad also experienced substantial rainfall, with 157 mm recorded at Golra, 152 mm at Zero Point, 105 mm at Saidpur Village and 72 mm at Bokra.
The PMD said another round of rain, accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, is expected across upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pothohar region, Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and adjoining mountainous areas.
Islamabad is likely to remain partly cloudy with intermittent rain and thunderstorms. The capital has a 60 percent probability of rainfall, with heavy showers possible at isolated locations.
Several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Battagram, Buner, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan and Swabi, are also expected to receive rain, with isolated heavy falls.
In Punjab, predominantly hot and humid conditions are forecast, although showers and thunderstorms may affect Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Narowal, Sialkot, Lahore, Gujranwala and Gujrat.
The latest spell could pose additional pressure on already vulnerable areas. The Met Office warned that moderate to heavy rainfall overnight and on September 2 may trigger landslides in mountainous parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
Urban flooding is also possible in low-lying areas of Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Gujrat if intense rainfall continues.
Rain was also reported at isolated locations in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during the previous 24 hours, while most other parts of the country remained hot and humid.
With another round of rainfall approaching, residents in vulnerable urban and mountainous locations have been advised to remain alert, particularly in areas exposed to flooding, water accumulation and landslides.
