ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted additional spells of rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms across the upper and central parts of the country from August 13 to 15, warning of potential landslides in mountainous regions.
According to the Met Office, monsoon currents are penetrating the upper parts of the country alongside a westerly wave. Under the influence of this weather system, downpours are expected in various regions starting from the night of August 12 through August 15.
Heavy rains are predicted in Kashmir across Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Haxian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhnoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur, as well as in Gilgit-Baltistan districts including Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ganche, and Shigar.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, downpours are expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Galyat, Boner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Haripur, Kurram, and Khyber.
Northeast Punjab districts—including Murree, Sialkot, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Nankana Sahib—will experience strong winds, thunderstorms, and isolated heavy spells.
Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and the Potohar region are also expected to receive heavy downpours from the evening or night of August 13 through August 15.
Additionally, rain and thunderstorms are forecasted for Sargodha, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Zhob, Barkhan, and Musakhel. Southern and coastal areas of Sindh may remain partly cloudy on August 12 and 13, with wind-thunderstorms expected in Tharparkar, Umerkot, and Sanghar, while the rest of the province will experience hot and humid weather.
The Met Office has warned that heavy downpours could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, and Lahore.
Furthermore, there is a serious risk of landslides in the hilly regions of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galyat, and Kashmir.
Tourists and travelers visiting these mountainous areas have been strongly advised to remain cautious, stay updated on weather forecasts, and avoid unnecessary travel during this spell.
