PMD issues nationwide alert for intensified monsoon rains

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of intensified monsoon activity across the country from next week, forecasting widespread rain, wind and thundershowers in several regions.

According to the PMD, monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are already penetrating the upper parts of Pakistan, while moist currents from the Bay of Bengal are expected to strengthen from August 17. A westerly wave currently affecting northern areas is also likely to intensify on the same day.

From August 14 to 17, Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to experience rain-wind/thundershowers, with scattered heavy falls in some areas. The PMD has cautioned of potential flash floods in local streams and nullahs in KP, Punjab, Islamabad, Murree, Galliyat, and AJK from August 15 to 21, and in hill torrents of DG Khan and eastern Balochistan from August 18 to 21. Urban flooding is possible in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Peshawar, and Nowshera. Landslides and mudslides may disrupt roads in hilly regions, while windstorms and lightning could damage weak structures, electric poles, billboards, and vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert for the seventh spell of monsoon rains from August 13 to 15, warning of heavy showers in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Heavy downpours are also forecast in the upper reaches of the Indus, Chenab, Sutlej, Jhelum, and Ravi rivers.