Islamabad: Pakistanis are waiting for the monsoon rains in the forecast this week to bring some respite from the sweltering and humid hot weather that has gripped most parts of the country.
Pakistan Met Office has predicted heavy rainfall and thunderstorm from June 30 to July 5 and also issued a weather warning of urban flooding in some regions. “Heavy falls may generate urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad from July 2-4, and in Karachi and Hyderabad from July 3-5,” the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said in its advisory.
“All concerned authorities are advised to remain alert during the forecast period” Met Office said. Fishermen have also been instructed to remain careful due to rough sea conditions from July 3-5.
Moist currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are likely to enter the upper parts of Pakistan from June 29, which may intensify and expand to the southern parts of the country by the end of this week, the weather advisory said.
Rain-windstorms and thundershowers are expected in Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Swat, Peshawar, Nowshera, Chakwal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Jhang and Bahawalnagar from June 30 till July 4, according to the met office. PMD Chief Meteorologist Dr Sardar Sarfaraz said that there are chances of heavy intermittent rainfall in Karachi starting on the evening or night of July 2.
Similarly, rain-windstorms and thundershowers are likely to affect Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Dadu, Zhob, Ziarat, Barkhan, Loralai, Kohlu, Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Naseerabad and Sibbi on July 1-5.
Flash flooding is also expected in stormwater drains in Kashmir and in some regions of Balochistan during this period. Local authorities have been asked to remain cautious as heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in the tourist regions of Kashmir, Galliyat and Murree.
