ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasted on Thursday that a westerly wave, which is anticipated to strike the upper sections of the country, will lash portions of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan from September 22 to 24 with sporadic pauses.
Starting September 22, weak to moderate moist currents from the Arabian Sea will likely move into the country’s upper parts. Concurrently, a westerly wave will also affect these areas during the mentioned period.
As a result of this weather system, different regions are expected to experience rain, wind-thundershowers, and occasional heavy falls, including Kashmir (including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), Gilgit Baltistan (including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Murree and Galliyat, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Various parts of Punjab (Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kurram, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Kohat, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera), Other areas such as Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Karak, Waziristan, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Bhakkar, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Bahawalnagar on September 23 and 24 with breaks in between.
The PMD has issued warnings regarding the potential impacts of this rain spell, including the possibility of urban flooding in low-lying areas of Lahore, Gujranwala, and Rawalpindi on September 22 and 23.
Additionally, moderate to heavy rains may trigger landslides in vulnerable areas such as Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, and Abbottabad from September 22 to 24.
Farmers have been advised to plan their agricultural activities accordingly, while tourists and travelers are urged to exercise caution during this period.
The public is advised to stay in safe locations during windstorms, lightning, and varying intensities of rainfall, as these weather conditions may damage structures like electric poles and solar panels. All relevant authorities are directed to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions during the forecasted period. —APP
