ISLAMABAD: Parts of Pakistan are likely to see continued rain and thunderstorms in the coming days, as moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal collide with a westerly weather system moving across the country’s northern regions, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Thursday.
According to the PMD’s latest forecast, rain accompanied by wind and thunder is expected in Upper and Southern Punjab, the Potohar Plateau, southeastern districts of Sindh, northeastern and southern Balochistan, Kashmir, and various areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In Islamabad, the forecast predicts partly cloudy skies with chances of rain and thunderstorms on both Thursday and Friday. The probability of rain stands at 40% for each day.
Isolated heavy rainfall may occur in parts of Upper Punjab and Southern Balochistan on Thursday. By Friday, heavier downpours are expected to shift toward Kashmir and Southern Balochistan, the PMD noted.
Sindh Weather Outlook
Most of Sindh will remain hot and humid. However, areas including Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mithi, Thatta, Badin, Sanghar, and Mirpurkhas may experience scattered rain and thunderstorms.
Coastal cities such as Karachi may also receive light rain on both Thursday and Friday.
Punjab Weather Conditions
In Punjab, rain with wind and thunderstorms is predicted across several districts, with some areas likely to see isolated heavy showers.
Affected regions include Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and surrounding towns.
On Friday, the same weather pattern is expected to persist, though Rahim Yar Khan may see a break in activity.
Losses from Recent Rainfall
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that at least 64 people have lost their lives and 117 have been injured in rain-related incidents and flash floods during the past week.
The worst-hit region was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 23 people, including 10 children, were killed.
Monsoon Alert Issued
In a press release issued on July 2, the PMD cautioned that monsoon activity is expected to intensify beginning the evening of July 5, as a westerly wave is anticipated to move into northern parts of the country by July 6.
The department warned that “heavy to very heavy rains are likely to cause flash flooding in local streams and nullahs in Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Dir, Swat and Kohistan, as well as parts of Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Northeast Punjab from July 5 to 8.”
The advisory also highlighted the potential for urban flooding in low-lying areas of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sargodha, Nowshera, and Peshawar between July 6 and 8.
Landslides and mudslides are also possible in hilly regions such as Murree, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
People living in vulnerable areas, especially farmers, commuters, and local authorities, have been urged to stay alert and take precautionary steps.
The PMD also warned that weak structures and billboards could be at risk of damage during periods of intense wind and rain.