Heavy Rains Forecast, Urban Flood Alerts Issued
News Desk
Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain, windstorms and thunderstorms in several parts of the country on Thursday, warning that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding and flash floods in vulnerable areas.
According to the latest weather advisory, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, upper and central Punjab, northeast Balochistan and Kashmir are expected to receive rain accompanied by isolated heavy to very heavy falls.
The Met Office cautioned that intense rainfall during July 30 and 31 may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, the Pothohar region, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore and Faisalabad.
Authorities have also been warned about possible landslides in vulnerable hilly areas, including Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra, Shangla, Abbottabad, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir.
The PMD said heavy rains could also generate flash floods in local streams and nullahs across Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, the Pothohar region, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan.
The department further cautioned that strong winds, thunderstorms and lightning could damage weak structures, including solar panels, electric poles and billboards.
Islamabad and surrounding areas are expected to remain partly cloudy with rain and thunderstorms, while several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab are likely to receive scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, southern parts of the country are expected to continue experiencing hot and humid weather. Most districts of Sindh will remain hot, with chances of light rain or drizzle in coastal areas, while Balochistan is likely to witness very hot conditions in central and southern regions with isolated showers in some districts.
Kashmir is expected to receive cloudy weather with rain and thunderstorms, including isolated heavy falls, while Gilgit-Baltistan may remain partly cloudy.
During the last 24 hours, rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls were recorded in Kashmir, northeast Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The highest rainfall was recorded in Muzaffarabad Airport at 98mm, followed by Gujranwala with 94mm, Sialkot City 74mm, Murree 74mm, Jhelum 64mm, Islamabad Golra 63mm, Gujrat 55mm, Mangla 53mm and Rawalpindi Kattarian 49mm.
The highest temperatures on Wednesday were recorded in Sibbi, Turbat and Dalbandin at 45°C, while Nokundi recorded 44°C.
