PMD Issues Heavy Rainfall Advisory for Balochistan, Sindh

News Desk

Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast torrential rains in Balochistan and Sindh from August 16 to 18, with occasional gaps. Rainfall is expected to continue in the upper parts of the country until August 20.

A low-pressure weather system currently causing rain in the northern regions is likely to move southward, bringing strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea to southern Pakistan from the evening or night of August 16.

Affected Areas

Balochistan (August 16-19) :Sibi, Harnai, Ziarat, Kohlu, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Zhob, Musa Khel, Naseerabad, Usta Muhammad, Jhal Magsi, Sohbatpur, Khuzdar, Kalat, Sikandarabad, Awaran, Kech, Panjgur, Gwadar (Jiwani, Pasni, Gwadar, Ormara), Hub, Lasbela, Loralai, Quetta, Sherani, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Mastung, Bolan, Harnai, and Jaffarabad.

Sindh (August 16-18): Sukkur, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Larkana, Dadu, Jacobabad, Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tharparkar, Mithi, Mirpur Khas, Umarkot, and Sanghar.

Kashmir (August 16-20): Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur.

Punjab and Islamabad (August 16-20): Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, Khushab, and Sargodha. Additionally, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Khanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan, and Layyah will be affected on August 16 and 17.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (August 16-20): Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Hangu, Kurram, Orakzai, Waziristan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan.

Gilgit-Baltistan (August 16-18):  Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar.

Possible Impacts

Flooding: Low-lying areas in Balochistan and Sindh are at risk of inundation. Torrential rains may generate landslides and flash floods in local streams and nullahs of Dera Ghazi Khan, Dadu, Kalat, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Awaran, Panjgur, Washuk, Mastung, and Lasbela from August 16-18. Similar risks exist in Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Northeast Punjab, as well as in the hilly torrents of Kashmir from August 16, 18, and 19.

Urban Flooding: Heavy downpours may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera, and Peshawar from August 16, 18, and 19.

Landslides: Landslides may cause road closures in vulnerable hilly areas of Balochistan from August 16-19, as well as in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan during the wet period.

Daily Disruptions: The heavy rainfall, windstorms, and lightning may disrupt daily routines, damage weak structures such as roofs, walls of Kacha houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels, and cause road disruptions.

Advice for Farmers and Travelers

Farmers are advised to manage their activities according to the weather forecast. Travelers and tourists should exercise extra caution, manage their travel plans accordingly, and avoid any untoward situations during the wet spell.

All relevant authorities are advised to remain alert and take necessary measures to prevent any untoward situations.