PMD forecasts rain, wind, thundershowers across upper, central parts from Aug 17-21

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast an extended spell of rain, strong winds and thundershowers across the upper and central parts of the country from August 17 to 21, with occasional breaks.

The Met Office said monsoon currents were already entering the northern areas and were expected to remain active in the coming days. A westerly wave is also likely to reach the upper parts of the country from August 17, with both weather systems expected to produce widespread rainfall.

Kashmir is likely to experience scattered rain, strong winds and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy rainfall, from the evening of August 16 through August 21. Areas including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Kotli and Mirpur are among those expected to be affected. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is also forecast to receive significant rainfall between August 17 and 21, particularly in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Malakand, Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad, Mansehra and several other districts. Southern districts such as Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Waziristan are expected to see rain mainly on August 20 and 21.

Islamabad and several parts of Punjab are also likely to receive rain, wind and thundershowers from the evening of August 16 until August 21. The forecast covers Rawalpindi, Murree, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Sargodha, Attock and other districts. Meanwhile, areas including Faisalabad, Jhang, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan are expected to experience rainfall on August 20 and 21.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain, winds and thunderstorms are forecast from August 18 to 21 in districts including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar.

Most areas of Sindh and Balochistan are expected to remain hot and humid, although Musakhel, Barkhan, Zhob, Kalat and Khuzdar may receive rain and thunderstorms from August 17 to 20.

PMD has warned that heavy rainfall could cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore between August 17 and 20.

There is also a risk of landslides in mountainous areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir. Tourists and travellers have been advised to exercise caution, while farmers have been urged to plan agricultural activities accordingly and protect their livestock.

The Met Office has called on relevant authorities to remain alert and take precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents during the spell. The public has also been advised to stay updated on changing weather conditions through the PMD website and the Pak Weather mobile application.