Islamabad: Pakistan is expected to receive its first widespread monsoon spell of the season during the first week of July, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasting rain, thunderstorms and isolated heavy downpours across large parts of the country that could trigger urban flooding, flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.
According to the Met Office, a westerly weather system is likely to enter the upper parts of the country from the evening of June 30, while moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea are already affecting eastern and central Pakistan. Moisture from the Bay of Bengal is also expected to reach northern areas from July 2, strengthening the monsoon system.
The forecast indicates that Kashmir will receive intermittent rain and thunderstorms, including isolated heavy falls, from July 1 to July 6. Similar weather is expected in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between July 1 and July 5.
Punjab, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot and Narowal, is expected to receive rain and thunderstorms from July 1 to July 6. Southern and central districts, including Multan, Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur, are also likely to receive rain from July 3 to July 5.
Rainfall is also forecast in Gilgit-Baltistan from July 1 to July 5, while northeastern districts of Balochistan, including Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Harnai and Sibi, are likely to receive rain between July 1 and July 4. Upper Sindh, including Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Khairpur and surrounding districts, may experience thunderstorms on July 3 and 4.
The Met Office has warned that heavy rainfall may trigger urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad between July 1 and July 4.
Flash flooding is also feared in local streams and hill torrents of Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of Dera Ghazi Khan from July 2 to July 5, while landslides remain a concern in mountainous regions of Kashmir, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Authorities have also cautioned that strong winds and lightning accompanying thunderstorms could damage vulnerable infrastructure, including electricity poles, solar panels and roadside billboards.
The Met Office has advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to mountainous areas during the forecast period and urged farmers to plan agricultural activities according to weather conditions while ensuring the safety of livestock.
It further advised federal, provincial and local authorities to remain on alert and take precautionary measures to minimize the risk of weather-related emergencies during the upcoming monsoon spell.