Islamabad:The Pakistan Meteorological Department has announced that monsoon rains are likely to sweep across much of the country, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi, from June 25 (tomorrow), to provide relief from the current heat wave.
However, there's a likelihood of some major cities, including Islamabad, being flooded due to widespread downpours.
According to the PMD, with moist currents already making their way into the upper and central parts of the country, a westerly wave is expected to approach upper parts on June 25 and become significant next day, causing scattered rain and wind and thunderstorms. Some areas are likely to experience heavy to very heavy downpour.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including places like Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot and nearby regions, wet weather is likely to stick around from the evening of June 24 through July 2, with some breaks in between.
Gilgit-Baltistan is also on track to see rainfall from June 26 to 29. In Punjab and Islamabad, widespread rain and thunderstorms are forecast from June 25 to July 1, affecting cities such as Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Sialkot.
Southern Punjab districts like Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan will witness similar weather from June 26 to 28. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there will be active monsoon conditions, with rain and thunderstorms happening in Swat, Dir, Peshawar and Waziristan from June 25 to July 1.
In Balochistan, north-eastern and southern districts, including Sherani, Sibbi, Lasbela and Khuzdar, are expected to see rainfall from the night of June 25 through June 28. Sindh, both upper and southeastern regions like Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Tharparkar, is forecast to experience rainfall and windstorms between June 25 and 28, with occasional breaks.
While the current heat wave will gradually subside, the PMD warned that flash floods could occur in streams and nullahs in Murree, Galiyat, Kohistan and parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Also, urban flooding could be reported in low-lying areas of major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, Peshawar, Hyderabad and Karachi, from June 26 to 28. Landslides could disrupt transport in hilly regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The PMD also warned that downpours, windstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable structures such as mud houses, electric poles, tree, vehicles, billboards and solar panels. It said farmers should plan their activities according to the forecast, while travellers should exercise extreme caution while leaving for tourist destinations. The department alerted authorities to potential emergencies arising during the wet spell.