The spell of rainfall across the country has intensified, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasting more heavy downpours until July 18. The department has warned of thunderstorms, strong winds, and dust storms in various regions, including Islamabad, with the monsoon system expected to persist and potentially turn into torrential rain in some areas.
According to the PMD, intermittent rainfall is expected over the next few days in most parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, northeastern and southern Balochistan, and both southern and upper Sindh. During this period, some areas may experience heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds, thunderstorms, and dust storms.
Heavy rain is expected in several central Punjab districts, including Islamabad, Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Lahore, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, and Faisalabad. Southern Punjab regions such as Bahawalpur, Multan, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, and Kot Addu may also be affected by this weather system.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rainfall is expected in districts such as Swat, Dir, Chitral, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, and Bannu. There is also an increased risk of landslides in the mountainous areas of Swat and Malakand.
Rain has also been forecast for Balochistan areas, including Barkhan, Kalat, Khuzdar, Zhob, Kohlu, and Loralai. Meanwhile, southern and coastal districts of Sindh—such as Umerkot, Tharparkar, Sanghar, Sukkur, Ghotki, Hyderabad, Larkana, and Jacobabad—are likely to witness a new spell of rain from July 18 to 20.
Deputy Director of the Meteorological Department, Anjum Nazir, stated in a private TV program that intermittent heavy rainfall is expected in Islamabad and Rawalpindi today. He added that this rain system will shift towards southern Pakistan over the next two days, after which its intensity will increase in the western regions.
The Met Office has advised concerned departments and the public to take precautionary measures, warning that heavy rains could lead to water accumulation in low-lying areas and increase the risk of landslides.
