Weather department warns of heavy rainfall, urban flooding and flash floods as monsoon activity intensifies across Sindh over the next 48 hours.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast monsoon rains across Sindh, including Karachi, over the next 48 hours, with isolated heavy rainfall expected in several districts as strong monsoon currents continue to influence weather conditions across the country.
According to the latest PMD advisory, hot and humid weather will persist in most parts of Sindh on Friday and Saturday. However, rain, accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms, is expected during the evening and night in several districts, while Karachi is likely to receive showers on Saturday, August 1.
Karachi and several Sindh districts likely to receive rain
The PMD said Karachi, Hyderabad and a number of other districts are expected to experience rain, wind and thundershowers on Saturday, with isolated heavy rainfall possible at a few locations.
The forecast covers Karachi, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Jamshoro, Shaheed Benazirabad, Ghotki, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Sukkur and surrounding areas.
On Friday, rainfall is also expected in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Jamshoro, Shaheed Benazirabad, Ghotki, Khairpur, Sukkur and nearby areas, with isolated heavy falls likely in parts of northern and southern Sindh.
Depression to strengthen monsoon activity
The PMD said a depression currently located over eastern Madhya Pradesh in India is expected to move westwards during the next 24 to 36 hours.
Under its influence, strong monsoon currents are continuing to penetrate eastern and central Pakistan, increasing the likelihood of widespread rainfall over the coming days.
At the national level, rain, wind and thundershowers are expected on Friday across Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad and Punjab, while scattered rainfall is also forecast in Sindh and southern Balochistan.
On Saturday, rainfall activity is expected to expand further across Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh and northeastern Balochistan, with isolated heavy to very heavy downpours.
PMD warns of flooding and landslides
The weather department has warned that heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, the Pothohar region, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Faisalabad and parts of Sindh.
The PMD also cautioned that flash floods may develop in local streams and hill torrents across Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, the Pothohar region, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan.
In addition, landslides remain a concern in vulnerable mountainous areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir, with the potential to disrupt transport and communication links.
Recent rainfall
During the past 24 hours, rain and thunderstorms, accompanied by isolated heavy falls, were recorded in parts of Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir.
Among the highest rainfall totals recorded were Attock (75mm), Sialkot City (67mm), Joharabad (56mm), Lahore City (46mm), Takht Bhai (38mm), Islamabad (Golra) (37mm), Sargodha City (37mm) and Garhi Dopatta in Kashmir (28mm).
The PMD has advised residents, travellers and local authorities to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to minimise the risk of loss of life and property during the ongoing monsoon spell.