Lahore: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted a new and relatively strong monsoon series across the country from the first week of July, warning of heavy rains, wind, thunderstorms, urban flooding and landslides in different areas.
According to the Meteorological Department, a new series of westerly winds will enter the upper regions of the country from June 30, while moisture-rich winds from the Arabian Sea are continuously moving towards the eastern and central regions. Moreover, moist winds from the Bay of Bengal are also likely to reach the northern regions from July 2, which is expected to increase the intensity of rainfall.
Under the influence of the weather system, intermittent rain, strong winds and thunderstorms are expected in various districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan and Sindh, with heavy rain at some places.
According to the Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of rain in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiat, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Narowal, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura, Sargodha and other areas of central Punjab from July 1 to 6.
Various districts of southern Punjab, including Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, D.G. Khan, Muzaffargarh, Khanewal, Lodhran, Layyah, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Rajanpur, Pakpattan, Okara, Kasur and Sahiwal, have been predicted to receive rain from July 3 to 5.
Thunderstorms are also expected in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Swat, Dir, Chitral, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohat, Bannu, Waziristan, Kurram, Khyber, Mohmand and other areas, while landslides have been predicted due to heavy rain in the mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
In Sindh, rain is expected in Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Ghotki, Shaheed Benazirabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Nowshera Feroze and Qambar Shahdadkot during July 3 and 4, while the effects of the monsoon system will also be seen in the northern and northeastern districts of Balochistan.
The Meteorological Department has warned that during heavy rains, there may be a risk of flooding in local rivers, flash flooding in mountainous areas and urban flooding in major cities. Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Peshawar and Nowshera are among the cities where water is likely to accumulate in low-lying areas.
The department has also said that strong winds and gusts can damage electricity poles, billboards, weak structures and solar panels in some places, while tourists have been advised to travel to northern areas with caution and stay informed about the weather conditions.
On the other hand, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has also issued an alert across the province in view of possible monsoon rains. According to the agency, all commissioners, deputy commissioners and relevant departments have been directed to make advance security arrangements so that any emergency situation can be dealt with in a timely manner.
The PDMA has advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during lightning, strong winds and heavy rain, while farmers have been advised to take precautionary measures to protect crops. Officials say that timely preparation and precautionary measures can significantly reduce potential losses.
