Heavy rainfall may cause urban and flash flooding, while landslides are possible in mountainous areas, PMD warns.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain-wind/thundershowers in Islamabad, Punjab and northern areas over the weekend, with heavy rainfall likely at several places.

According to the PMD, mainly cloudy weather with rain-wind/thundershowers is expected in Islamabad and adjoining areas on Saturday and Sunday, with heavy falls likely during the period.

Heavy rain may trigger urban flooding

The PMD has warned that heavy rainfall during the night and on August 23 may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore.

The department has also warned of a risk of flash flooding in local streams and nullahs in Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Possible landslides have also been forecast in mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir.

Monsoon currents affecting upper, central Pakistan

According to the PMD, moderate monsoon currents are penetrating the upper and central parts of the country.

A westerly wave is also affecting the upper parts of the country and is likely to persist for the next two days.

On Saturday, rain-wind/thundershowers are expected in upper Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, with heavy rainfall likely at a few places.

On Sunday, rain-wind/thundershowers are expected in Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, again with heavy rainfall likely at a few places.

Hot and humid weather is expected to prevail in other parts of the country on both days.

Heavy rain recorded in several areas

During the past 24 hours, rain-wind/thundershowers occurred in Islamabad, the Potohar region, north-east Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, with heavy rainfall reported at a few places.

In Punjab and Islamabad, Zero Point recorded the highest rainfall at 53mm, followed by Sialkot Airport with 46mm, Narowal 45mm, Muzaffarabad Airport 41mm and Murree 35mm.

Sialkot city received 30mm, while Muzaffarabad city recorded 24mm. Rawalpindi’s Shamsabad received 21mm, Islamabad’s Golra 17mm and Saidpur 16mm.

Other rainfall totals included Islamabad Airport 10mm, Mangla 7mm, Gujrat 5mm, Gujranwala 3mm and Attock 1mm.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Malam Jabba received 32mm, while Balakot recorded 3mm and Saidu Sharif 1mm.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, Bagrote received 8mm, Astore 6mm and Skardu 5mm, while Kotli in Kashmir recorded 1mm.

The PMD said hot and humid weather prevailed in other parts of the country during the past 24 hours.