Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of a powerful new monsoon spell likely to hit large swathes of the country from July 28, triggering potentially dangerous flash floods, urban inundation and landslides across vulnerable regions.
Authorities have been placed on high alert as the forecast warns of widespread rain, thunderstorms and isolated heavy downpours from Gilgit-Baltistan to southern Balochistan through the end of the month.
According to the PMD’s National Weather Forecasting Centre, weak monsoon currents are currently affecting the upper and central parts of the country, but are expected to significantly intensify starting Sunday, July 28.
A westerly wave is also expected to enter Pakistan on July 29, further aggravating the weather system. The combined impact of these systems is likely to result in a series of intense rain and thunderstorm events with high risk of localised flooding and infrastructural damage.
Northern and hilly regions will be particularly vulnerable, with heavy rainfall predicted in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the mountainous districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Mansehra and Abbottabad from July 27 to 31.
Punjab’s upper and central regions—including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Murree, Galliyat, Lahore, Gujranwala, and Sialkot—will also witness heavy to very heavy rainfalls, especially between July 28 and 31.
In southern Punjab, Balochistan and parts of Sindh, scattered thundershowers are expected from July 29 to 31, with the possibility of strong winds and lightning damaging weak structures such as mud houses, power lines, billboards, and solar panels.
Cities including Multan, Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Quetta, Khuzdar, Loralai, and Zhob are on the radar for possible weather-related disruptions.
Urban flooding is particularly feared in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore and Sialkot, while flash floods may hit the nullahs and streams in Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, and adjoining regions.
Landslides and road blockages are anticipated in Murree, Galliyat, parts of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
The PMD has urged the public, especially tourists and travellers, to exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary travel to mountainous and flood-prone areas, and remain updated through official weather alerts.
Rescue services and all concerned civic agencies have been advised to stay alert and ready for emergency response operations throughout the forecast period.
This latest advisory follows several weeks of heavy monsoon activity that have already claimed over 220 lives across Pakistan this season. With the upcoming weather system projected to be particularly severe, the Meteorological Department has reiterated the need for proactive preparedness to mitigate loss of life and property.
For real-time updates, citizens are encouraged to monitor official PMD platforms and the CAP alert system.
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