ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Meteorological Department on Tuesday forecast widespread monsoon rains and thunderstorms across northern and central parts of the country from August 14, warning of flash floods, urban flooding, landslides, and a risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in vulnerable northern regions.
The weather department said the prolonged wet spell, driven by monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and a strengthening westerly system, could trigger severe flooding in low-lying urban areas, hill torrents, and glaciated valleys through August 22.
The Met Office said a westerly wave is currently affecting the upper parts and is likely to strengthen from August 17.
“Under the influence of these meteorological conditions, rain-wind/thundershower (with scattered heavy falls) is expected in Islamabad, Kashmir, upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan from 14th to 17th August,” it said.
Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan
Widespread rain, wind, and thunderstorms with scattered heavy downpours are expected in Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur from 18th to 21st August.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, areas such as Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar may experience rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls during the same period, with occasional breaks.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Widespread rain, wind, and thunderstorms with scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall are forecast in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Kohat, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Hangu, and Karak from 18th to 21st August.
Scattered rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are also likely in Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Tank, and Dera Ismail Khan during this period, with intermittent dry spells.
Punjab and Islamabad
Widespread rain, wind, and thunderstorms with scattered heavy to very heavy showers are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, and Sahiwal from 18th to 21st August, with occasional breaks.
Scattered rain with isolated heavy falls is also expected in D.G. Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rajanpur, and Rahim Yar Khan.
Balochistan
Rain, wind, and thunderstorms with isolated heavy rainfall are expected in Barkhan, Musakhel, Loralai, Sibi, Zhob, Qilla Saifullah, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Kech, Gwadar, and Panjgur from 18th to 22nd August.
Sindh
Rain, wind, and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are forecast in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, and Jacobabad from 18th to 22nd August, with breaks in between.
Advisory
The PMD warned that heavy rains may generate flash floods in local streams of Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Northeast Punjab, and Kashmir from 15th to 21 August, while flash floods will also occur in hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and eastern parts of Balochistan from 18th to 21st August.
Heavy rainfalls may cause urban floods in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Peshawar, and Nowshera from 15th to 21st August.
It noted that landslides/mudslides may cause road closures in the vulnerable hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir during the forecast period.
It warned heavy falls/windstorm and lightning may damage weak structures, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels, etc, during the forecast period.
It advised the public, travellers, and tourists to avoid unusual exposure to vulnerable areas to avoid any untoward situation and keep updated about the latest weather conditions.
GLOF Alert
The PMD warned that the prevailing weather conditions increase the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), flash floods, and landslide events in vulnerable glaciated regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
It asked all concerned departments to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation.
