Heavy rain may trigger urban flooding, flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas, PMD warns
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, wind and thunderstorms across Islamabad, the Potohar region, upper and central Punjab, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan during the weekend.
According to the latest PMD forecast, more rain and thunderstorms are expected on Friday in Islamabad, the Potohar region, upper Punjab, Kashmir, KP and Gilgit-Baltistan, with isolated heavy rainfall also likely.
On Saturday, rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected across Islamabad, the Potohar region, upper and central Punjab, Kashmir, KP and Gilgit-Baltistan. Isolated heavy rainfall is also forecast.
Meanwhile, hot and humid weather is expected to persist in other parts of the country.
PMD warns of urban and flash flooding
The PMD has warned that heavy rainfall during the weekend could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore.
Heavy rainfall may also cause flash flooding in local nullahs of Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat and Islamabad-Rawalpindi.
The department further cautioned that landslides could occur in hilly areas of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir during the forecast period.
Residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to remain alert as heavy downpours could cause disruption to road traffic and local infrastructure.
Monsoon currents affecting northern areas
According to the PMD, monsoon currents are penetrating the upper parts of the country, while a westerly wave is also affecting the upper regions.
The interaction of these weather systems is expected to produce rain and thunderstorms across northern and central parts of Pakistan during the weekend.
Rainfall recorded across several areas
During the past 24 hours, rain, wind and thunderstorms, including isolated heavy falls, were reported in the Potohar region, Islamabad, Punjab, upper KP, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
In Punjab, Islamabad’s Golra recorded the highest rainfall at 61mm, followed by Shamsabad in Rawalpindi with 52mm, Bokra in Islamabad with 38mm and Zero Point with 34mm.
Other rainfall totals included Kattarian in Rawalpindi at 34mm, Gawalmandi 31mm, Pirwidahi 30mm, Mangla 21mm, Faisalabad 18mm and Jhelum 19mm.
In KP, Cherat received 8mm, while Malam Jabba, Kakul and Parachinar recorded 2mm each.
Garhi Dopatta in Kashmir received 17mm, while Kotli recorded 5mm. In Gilgit-Baltistan, Bunji and Astore received 1mm each.
Weather remained hot and humid in other parts of the country.
Dalbandin records highest temperature
The highest maximum temperature recorded during the previous day was 46°C in Dalbandin.
Dadu and Chilas recorded maximum temperatures of 43°C each.
The PMD advised residents in areas vulnerable to urban and flash flooding, as well as people living in hilly regions, to remain cautious during the forecast period.