ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecast start of nationwide monsoon rain spell from the first week of July, warning of heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides and urban flooding in several parts of the country.
The Met Office said a westerly weather system was expected to enter the country’s upper regions on the night of June 30, while moisture-laden currents from the Arabian Sea were already affecting eastern and central areas.
Furthermore, moisture from the Bay of Bengal is expected to reach the upper parts of the country from July 2, the Met Office stated.
The department said the weather system was likely to bring widespread rain, windstorms and thundershowers across much of Pakistan, easing the prevailing hot and humid conditions.
Onset of Monsoon Rains likely during the first week of July, 2026.#PMD #pmdweather #monsoon #monsoonrain #pressrelease #FloodSeason2026 #PakistanMeteorologicalDepartment #FloodForecasting #FFDLahore #Monsoon2026 #WeatherUpdatePK #DisasterPreparedness pic.twitter.com/HVsxmbHpZ8
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) June 29, 2026
Rain forecast across provinces
According to the PMD, scattered rain, windstorms and thundershowers, accompanied by isolated heavy falls, are expected in Azad Kashmir from July 1 to July 6. The forecast covers Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and thundershowers are expected from July 1 to July 5, with occasional gaps, in districts including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Battagram, Shangla, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai and Karak.
The PMD forecast rainfall in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat and several northern and central districts of Punjab, including Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Khushab, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot and Narowal, from July 1 to July 6.
Southern Punjab districts, including Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Pakpattan, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Okara, Kasur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur, are expected to receive intermittent rainfall from July 3 to July 5.
Rain and thunderstorms are also forecast in Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, between July 1 and July 5.
In Balochistan, the PMD forecast rain in the northern and northeastern districts of Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Harnai, Sibbi, Barkhan and Dera Bugti from July 1 to July 4.
Northern Sindh districts, including Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Qambar Shahdadkot and Naushahro Feroze, are expected to experience windstorms and thundershowers on July 3 and 4.
Flooding and landslide warnings
The PMD warned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable infrastructure, including electric poles, billboards and solar panels.
The department also warned of possible landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir from July 1 to July 6.
The department said heavy rainfall could trigger flash flooding in local streams and nullahs across Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan, between July 2 and July 5.
Urban flooding is also possible in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad from July 1 to July 4, it added.
The PMD advised relevant authorities to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to manage potential emergencies. It also urged tourists to avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period and advised farmers to adjust crop activities and ensure the safety of livestock.
Punjab issues pre-monsoon alert
Meanwhile, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a province-wide pre-monsoon alert following the PMD forecast.
PDMA Director General Umar Javed said the alert had been issued to commissioners, deputy commissioners and relevant departments across Punjab on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
He said all institutions had been directed to make advance arrangements to deal with any emergency.
Javed advised people to avoid open areas during lightning and thunderstorms and minimise unnecessary travel during dust storms and strong winds.
He also urged farmers to take preventive measures to protect their crops and advised tourists travelling to northern areas to remain updated on weather conditions and exercise caution.
