PMD warns of heavy rains, urban flooding in Punjab, KP

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecast widespread rainfall, windstorms and thunderstorms across most parts of the country over the coming days, warning of possible urban flooding in parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the PMD, moist currents from the Arabian Sea have entered the upper parts of the country, while another weather system from the Bay of Bengal is expected to reach northeastern areas by Monday evening. A westerly wave is also likely to approach the upper regions by Monday night.

The department said rain, windstorms and thunderstorms are expected from Monday night to Wednesday in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Islamabad, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, with isolated heavy rainfall in several areas.

In Balochistan, isolated rain and thunderstorms are forecast for northern and northeastern districts from Tuesday night to Wednesday.

Sindh is expected to remain mostly hot and very humid, although isolated showers are likely in Tharparkar, Sukkur, Shikarpur, Larkana, Dadu, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Qambar Shahdadkot and Naushahro Feroze on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The PMD warned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including solar panels, electricity poles and billboards. It also cautioned that landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, while water levels may rise in local streams and hill torrents, particularly in Dera Ghazi Khan.

The department further warned of localised urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The PMD advised tourists and travellers to avoid unnecessary journeys, while urging farmers to plan agricultural activities in line with the weather forecast. It added that the prevailing hot and humid conditions are expected to ease during the forecast period.