ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms across the country between August 29 and September 2, warning of potential floods, landslides and urban flooding in vulnerable areas.
According to the alert, Islamabad is likely to receive more rains with thunder during this period.
In northern and northeastern Punjab districts, including Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin, heavy rains are expected on August 30 and 31, posing risks of flooding.
In central and southern Punjab, rainfall is predicted between August 29 and 31, which could inundate low-lying areas in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rains are forecast from August 29 to 31, with landslides likely in Malakand and Hazara divisions. The affected districts include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, D.I. Khan, Tank, Kohat and Bannu.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Haveli, Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber) may see heavy rains from August 29 to September 2, raising risks of landslides.
Read More: Punjab floods claim 17 lives, displace over 600,000: PDMA
In Gilgit-Baltistan, rainfall is predicted from August 29 to 31, with chances of landslides and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in districts including Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer and Ghanche.
In Sindh, coastal districts—Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin and Tharparkar—are expected to receive rains from August 30 to September 2, with possible urban flooding in Karachi. Heavy downpours are also expected in interior Sindh (Hyderabad, Dadu, Sukkur, Ghotki, Larkana, Jacobabad and Kashmore) between August 30 and September 1.
In Balochistan, coastal and eastern districts including Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Lasbela and Kalat are likely to receive rains from August 29 to September 1, raising concerns of flooding in low-lying areas.
The PMD further warned that additional rainfall could worsen the flood situation in the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab river catchment areas.
The NDMA said it is monitoring ongoing rescue and relief operations in coordination with provincial authorities and urged people to exercise caution during rains and floods.
The advisory cautioned tourists against travelling to northern areas during the period due to risks of landslides and flash floods.
