Amid fears of urban flooding, Met Office predicts rainfall

Islamabad: The Meteorological Department has predicted more rainfall early next week. Strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are likely to penetrate the upper parts of the country from July 21.

Under the influence of this weather system, there will be rain, wind and thundershower with isolated heavy rainfall over the areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from July 21 evening to July 27 with occasional interruptions. It will also rain in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar and Mianwali areas from July 22 to 25 with occasional gaps.

Rain-wind/thundershowers are expected at Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan and Layyah on July 23 and 24. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it will rain in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Bajaur, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Hangu , Kurram, Orakzai, Waziristan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan from July 22 (evening) to July 24 with occasional breaks, while in

Balochistan, mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most districts of the province. However, rain-wind and thundershower are expected in north/eastern parts of Balochistan including Khuzdar, Kalat, Lasbella, Awaran, Ziarat, Zhob, Barkhan, Musa Khel, Shirani, Kohlu, Harnai, Naseerabad and Jaffarabad on 23 and 24 July. with occasional interruptions.

In Sindh, predominantly hot and very humid weather is expected over most districts of the province. Rain-wind/thundershowers are expected over Mithi, Sanghar, Umarkot, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Sukkur, Larkana and Dadu on July 23 and 24 with occasional interruptions.

As for Gilgit-Baltistan, the weather will be mainly partly cloudy to cloudy. However, rainfall is also expected at Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar during 22-27 July with occasional interruptions. The Met Office warned that heavyfalls may cause flash flooding in local nullahs and streams of Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Malakand, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Bunner, Kurrum, Orakzai, Khyber, Mohmand, Nowshera, Swabi and Azad Jammu and Kashmir on 23 and 24 July.

According to this theory, heavy rainfall can lead to flooding in urban areas.

in low-lying areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on July 23 and 24.

“Landslides may disrupt roads in vulnerable hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during the wet season. Also, heavy downpours and windstorms and lightning may affect daily routine, weak structures such as collapse of roofs and walls of mud houses, electricity poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels etc. during the period.” The Met Office urged farmers to manage their activities during the period. It said travellers and tourists should be extra cautious and manage their travel based on the weather conditions and avoid any unfavourable situation during the wet season. The Met Office asked the authorities to remain alert and take necessary measures to avert any unfavourable situation.