ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Torrential monsoon rains are likely to batter large parts of Pakistan from tonight through July 10 with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issuing high-alert warnings for flash floods, landslides, and urban flooding in vulnerable areas.
The intense weather system is expected to affect Kashmir, Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, with isolated spells of heavy to very heavy rainfall.
The Met office has cautioned that strong downpours could trigger flash floods in local streams and nullahs in Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, Manshera, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, hill torrents of D.G. Khan, northeast Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and several districts of Balochistan including Barkhan, Kohlu, Musakhel, Dera Bugti, Naseerabad, Sibi, Loralai, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Panjgur, and Turbat.
The authorities have warned of possible landslides and mudslides leading to road blockages in the hilly areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Heavy rain may cause urban flooding
Meanwhile, heavy downpours may cause urban flooding in low-lying neighborhoods of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera, and Peshawar.
The public has been advised to exercise caution and take preventive measures during the ongoing monsoon season.
Cloudy conditions with rain and thundershowers are likely in Islamabad while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is expected to receive rain across various districts including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu, Kurram, Kohat, Waziristan, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan, with heavy rainfall forecast in the upper regions.
In Punjab, widespread rain is expected in areas including Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Mandi Bahauddin, Chiniot, Okara, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Kot Addu, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dera Ghazi Khan.
Sindh will remain mostly hot and humid, with partly cloudy skies in coastal districts and a chance of light rain.
Balochistan will also remain hot and humid in most areas, though rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are likely in parts of Barkhan, Kohlu, Musakhel, Dera Bugti, Loralai, Zhob, and Khuzdar. Intermittent rain is forecast for both Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
During the past 24 hours, widespread rain and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls were recorded in Punjab, Islamabad, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir.
