Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of widespread torrential rains across the country starting August 17, with the monsoon system expected to intensify under the influence of currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
The alert issued on Saturday afternoon cautions that heavy to very heavy downpours may trigger flash floods, landslides, and dangerous urban flooding in several regions, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan.
According to the PMD’s National Weather Forecasting Centre, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will witness widespread rain, wind, and thunderstorms with scattered heavy falls between August 17 and 19.
The rainfall system is forecast to spread towards Punjab and Islamabad between August 17 and 19, covering areas including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Multan, with further activity in southern Punjab districts from August 18 to 20.
Sindh is expected to be hit hardest, with torrential downpours predicted from August 17 to 22 in Tharparker, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Karachi, Badin, Jamshoro, and Larkana. PMD cautioned that the intensity may lead to urban flooding in Karachi and Hyderabad, while low-lying areas across interior Sindh could face prolonged inundation.
Balochistan will also be under threat, with Barkhan, Zhob, Loralai, Khuzdar, and Lasbella likely to experience heavy falls from August 17 to 21.
The Met Office has issued specific advisories highlighting risks of flash floods in local nullahs of Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Abbottabad, and adjoining areas of Punjab and Balochistan. Landslides are feared in the hilly terrains of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir, while fishermen and travelers have been urged to exercise extreme caution.
Weak structures, including Kacha houses, billboards, and electric poles, may also collapse under the intensity of winds and rain.
PMD further warned that the rainfall spells will coincide with peak monsoon season, compounding risks for vulnerable communities.
The department has directed provincial disaster management authorities and local administrations to remain on high alert and take immediate precautionary measures to prevent loss of life and property.
Authorities have also urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas, keep updated with official weather advisories, and stay indoors during thunderstorms to minimize risks from lightning and falling debris.
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