Heavy rainfall until August 20 may trigger urban flooding, flash floods and landslides across vulnerable areas.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an urban flooding alert for Islamabad, Rawalpindi and several other parts of the country, warning of heavy rainfall from Tuesday until August 20.
The PMD said heavy rain could cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore.
The department also warned that heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding in local nullahs in Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat and the Islamabad-Rawalpindi area during the forecast period.
It further cautioned that continued rainfall could cause landslides in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir.
Heavy rain forecast for upper parts
The PMD said monsoon currents are penetrating the upper parts of the country, while a westerly wave is also affecting the upper regions.
On Tuesday, rain, wind and thundershowers are expected in Islamabad, the Potohar region, Kashmir, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. Heavy falls are also likely at some places.
The rest of the country is expected to experience hot and humid weather.
On Wednesday, more rain, wind and thundershowers are forecast for Islamabad, the Potohar region, upper Punjab, Kashmir, upper and central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Heavy rainfall is also expected during the period, while other parts of the country are likely to remain hot and humid.
Rawalpindi records 116mm rainfall
The PMD reported widespread rain and thundershowers in Islamabad and the Potohar region during the previous 24 hours, with isolated rainfall also recorded in northeast Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeastern Balochistan and Kashmir.
Heavy rainfall was recorded at isolated locations.
In Punjab, Rawalpindi received the highest rainfall, with 116mm recorded at Shamsabad. Pirwadhai received 80mm, Gawalmandi 68mm, Kattarian 67mm, Chaklala 62mm and Katcheri 52mm.
Mangla received 82mm, while Islamabad recorded 74mm at Bokra, 49mm at the airport, 45mm at Zero Point, 24mm at Golra and 10mm at Saidpur.
Sialkot received 28mm in the city and 6mm at the airport, while Gujrat recorded 18mm, Narowal 14mm, Jhelum 12mm, Murree 11mm, Attock 7mm, Sheikhupura 2mm and Chakwal 1mm.
In Kashmir, Muzaffarabad received 23mm in the city and 12mm at the airport.
Kakul in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 16mm and Malam Jabba 6mm, while Zhob in Balochistan received 6mm.
Residents urged to remain vigilant
The PMD advised residents in vulnerable low-lying and hilly areas to remain alert as further heavy rainfall could increase the risk of urban flooding, flash floods and landslides.
Residents in flood-prone areas have been advised to take precautionary measures and remain updated with official weather warnings as the wet spell continues until August 20.