The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted torrential rains across the country from Monday due to the entry of a strong weather system over the upper and central parts of the country.
According to PMD, the weather pattern will remain till Wednesday night. The National Disaster Management Authority also issued a similar alert, saying it had directed officials to adopt rain-emergency measures to prevent any untoward situation during the rains.
Under the influence of the system, widespread thundershower with isolated hailstorms are expected in Islamabad; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan.
The advisory states that Rawalpindi, Murri, Galayat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakar, Laiya, Dera Ghazi Khan, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Sialkot, Narowal including Lahore Punjab. From Monday night to Wednesday, there will be heavy rain in Sheikhupura, Okara, Kasur, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar and Multan.
Similarly, widespread rain and thundershowers with isolated hailstorm are very likely over Kashmir including Bhimber, Kotli, Mirpur, Poonch, Bagh, Haveli, Hatian, Muzaffarabad and Neelam Valley; During this period Gilgit Baltistan which includes Astor, Geyser, Gilgit, Dimir, Hunza and Skardu and Northeast Balochistan which includes Zhob, Sherani, Musa Khel, Kohlu, Barkhan.
Downpours are also expected in Sukkur, Larkana, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Karachi, Dera Bugti, Jaffarabad, Naseerabad, Lasbela and Khuzdar from Tuesday evening till Wednesday.
The Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rains may cause landslides in sensitive areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Galyat, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
The weather office advisory said that due to heavy rains, there may be sudden floods in local drains or rivers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and Northeast Balochistan.
“Travellers and tourists are advised to be extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.”
The Met Office said that all concerned officials have been advised to remain alert and take precautionary measures during the forecast period.