ISLAMABAD, July 31, 2024 – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a critical weather alert on Wednesday, warning of torrential monsoon rains set to impact the country from August 1, 2024. Strong monsoon currents are expected to penetrate from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal into the upper parts of Pakistan starting from the night of July 31, followed by central and southern regions from August 2.
According to the PMD under the influence of this weather system, the following regions are expected to experience significant weather events:
Kashmir: Rain, wind, and thundershowers with occasional heavy falls are anticipated in areas including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur from the night of July 31 to August 6, with intermittent breaks.
Punjab/Islamabad: Scattered heavy rains with isolated very heavy falls are forecasted for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar, and Mianwali from August 1 to 6. Rain and thundershowers with heavy falls are also expected in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan, and Layyah from August 2 to 6.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Scattered heavy rains with isolated very heavy falls are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Hangu, Kurram, Orakzai, Waziristan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan from the evening/night of August 1 to 6.
Balochistan: Rain, wind, and thundershowers with a few heavy falls are expected in Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Panjgur, Kech, Kalat, Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Barkhan, Musa Khel, Mastung, Sibi, Shirani, Kohlu, Bolan, Harnai, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, and the Makran coast from the evening/night of August 2 to 6.
Sindh: Scattered heavy rains with isolated very heavy falls are expected in Mithi, Sanghar, Matiari, Naushahro Feroze, Jamshoro, Umarkot, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Khairpur, Thatta, Badin, Chhor, Padidan, Sujawal, Karachi, Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, and Dadu from the night of August 2 to 6.
Gilgit-Baltistan: Mainly partly cloudy to cloudy weather conditions are expected, with rainfall activity in Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar from the evening/night of August 3 to 6.
Possible Impacts and Advisories Issued by the PMD:
• Torrential rains may generate flash flooding in local streams and nullahs of Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Bannu, Kurram, Waziristan, Dera Ismail Khan, Orakzai, Khyber, Mohmand, Nowshera, Swabi, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Northeast Punjab, hill torrents of D.G. Khan, and Kashmir from August 2 to 5. Similar conditions are expected in Kalat, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Lasbella, Zhob, Loralai, Sibi, Harnai, Awaran, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Jhal Magsi, Naseerabad, Musa Khel, and Jaffarabad from August 3 to 5.
• Heavy downpours may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Sahiwal, Nowshera, and Peshawar from August 2 to 5. Similar urban flooding risks are anticipated in low-lying areas of Sindh on August 4 and 5.
• Landslides may lead to road closures in vulnerable hilly areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan during the wet period.
• Heavy downpours, windstorms, and lightning may disrupt daily routines and damage weak structures, including kacha houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels.
PMD Issues Advisories:
• Farmers are advised to manage their activities in light of the weather forecast.
• Travelers and tourists should exercise caution, plan their journeys according to weather conditions, and avoid any untoward situations during the wet spell.
The PMD urges all residents and relevant authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to mitigate the impacts of the anticipated torrential rains.