Meteorological Department issues nationwide weather alert for Tuesday and Wednesday as monsoon system intensifies

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday warned that widespread heavy rainfall over the next two days could trigger flash floods, urban flooding and landslides across several parts of the country as an active monsoon system strengthens.

According to the PMD, moist monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are penetrating the upper regions of Pakistan and are expected to intensify during the period. A westerly wave affecting the upper and central parts of the country is also likely to enhance rainfall activity, resulting in widespread rain, windstorms and thunderstorms.

Flash flood and landslide warnings

The PMD warned that heavy rainfall from Tuesday night through Wednesday could trigger landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree and Galliyat, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The department also cautioned that local streams and nullahs may experience flash flooding in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Murree and Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan.

Urban flooding risk in major cities

Heavy downpours are expected to cause urban flooding in several major cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan and Faisalabad.

The PMD further warned that strong winds, lightning and intense rainfall could damage vulnerable infrastructure such as electricity poles, billboards and solar panels.

Widespread rain forecast

The weather department forecast intermittent rain, windstorms and thunderstorms across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Islamabad, Punjab, northeastern Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at isolated locations, with authorities advised to remain alert for possible weather-related emergencies.

Heavy rainfall recorded

During the past 24 hours, rain accompanied by thunderstorms, including heavy falls at isolated places, was recorded across the Pothohar region, Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Among the highest rainfall totals recorded were:

• Mangla – 84 mm

• Jhelum – 81 mm

• Gujranwala – 74 mm

• Sialkot Airport – 72 mm

• Peshawar City – 72 mm

• Islamabad (Saidpur Village) – 64 mm

• Murree – 49 mm

• Lahore Airport – 48 mm

• Takht Bhai – 47 mm

Moderate to heavy rainfall was also reported in Gujrat, Rawalpindi, Narowal, Kotli and Garhi Dupatta.

Hot weather persists in southwestern Pakistan

Despite the active monsoon conditions in much of the country, hot and humid weather continued to prevail in southern and southwestern regions.

The highest maximum temperatures recorded on Monday were:

• Nokkundi – 48°C

• Dalbandin – 48°C

• Sibbi – 46°C

The PMD has advised the public, tourists and local administrations to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel to flood-prone and mountainous areas, and take precautionary measures against possible flooding, landslides and weather-related damage during the ongoing monsoon spell.