Islamabad, August 10, 2024 – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread monsoon rains across various regions of the country on Sunday, August 11, 2024, raising concerns over potential flash floods and urban flooding in vulnerable areas.
In its latest weather advisory, the PMD indicated that thundershowers accompanied by heavy rains are expected to hit Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, the Potohar region, Islamabad, northeastern and southern Balochistan, as well as southeastern and upper Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan. The department warned of potential heavy rainfall in these areas, which could exacerbate the risk of flash floods and landslides.
The PMD elaborated on the synoptic situation, noting that monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are currently penetrating the upper parts of the country at lower tropospheric levels. These currents are anticipated to extend to the central parts by today, augmented by a westerly wave affecting the upper and central regions.
The weather department has issued a stern warning regarding heavy rains that could trigger flash floods in local streams and nullahs across several districts, including Sialkot, Narowal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Lahore, Hafizabad, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Kohistan, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, and Kashmir on August 10 and 11.
Moreover, the PMD cautioned that urban flooding might occur in low-lying areas of Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, Nowshera, and Peshawar. The risk of landslides, which could result in road closures, has also been highlighted for hilly areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
For Saturday, August 10, 2024, the PMD has predicted intermittent rain and thundershowers in Islamabad, Kashmir, northeastern Punjab, the Potohar region, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Additionally, isolated rain-windstorms are expected in south/central Punjab, northeastern/southern Balochistan, and southeastern Sindh.
In the past 24 hours, rain and thundershowers were recorded at various locations, including Islamabad, Punjab, eastern Sindh, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eastern Balochistan, and Kashmir. However, hot and humid weather persisted in other regions.
As the monsoon season intensifies, authorities and residents in the affected regions are urged to stay alert and take necessary precautions to minimize the risks associated with heavy rainfall and potential flooding.
