ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Metrological Department (PMD) warned that the upper and central parts of the country are likely to receive scattered heavy rainfalls during the next three days (till July 30) while heavy downpours and thunderstorms battered different parts of the country on Friday morning as the ongoing monsoon spell continues to impact the country.
According to the weather department, monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea were continuously penetrating while a westerly wave was also present in the upper and central parts of the country.
On Friday, monsoon rain continued to lash different cities including the capital city Islamabad, and its neighboring city, Rawalpindi besides Lahore and Karachi.
The heavy rainfall in various areas of Rawalpindi caused water to accumulate at key locations, including the Committee Chowk Underpass, Liaquat Bagh, and Chowk Arya Mohalla.
At Nullah Lai, the water level rose up to 5 feet, while in Gawalmandi, approximately 4 feet of water accumulated. The highest rainfall was recorded at Chaklala with 47mm.
On the other hand, Karachi experienced light and heavy rains in different areas early in the morning, which broke the heatwave and brought pleasant weather.
Rainfall was recorded in various parts of the city, including Federal B Area, Malir, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan, Korangi, and North Nazimabad.
In Murree and its surrounding areas, the monsoon rains have persisted for the second consecutive day. The heavy rainfall has caused the storm drains in the vicinity to burst.
Rescue teams are on high alert and stationed at various points to respond to any emergencies.
The Meteorological Department has predicted that the rain will continue in the region for the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Azad Kashmir is also experiencing continuous heavy rain. The downpour has brought relief from the intense heat, resulting in a pleasant change in the weather.
However, the local administration has issued a warning to tourists, urging them to avoid traveling to mountainous areas due to the risk of landslides.
As the monsoon spell persists, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to ensure the safety of residents and travelers in the affected regions.
The PMD alert said that under the influence of these systems, rain/wind-thundershowers (with scattered heavy falls) were expected in Kashmir, (Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), Gilgit Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Karak, Waziristan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Kasur, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar and Okara with occasional gaps.
It further added that rain/wind-thundershowers (with few heavy falls) were expected in Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur, Mastung, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Dera Ghazi khan, Rajanpur, Multan, Khanewal, Layyah, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan from the night of July 27 to July 28.
The PMD, in its press release, said that heavy rains might generate flashfloods in Balochistan and hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan.
While the same weather was expected in Kashmir, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Manshera, Abbottabad, Rawalpindi/Islamabad, including (Lai Nullah), till July 29.
These heavy rains might cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad during the forecast period.
These might also trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The PMD advised that farmers should manage their activities accordingly. It further said that tourists and travelers should remain extra-cautious to avoid any untoward situation during the wet spell.
The weather department said people should avoid electric output, and wind-thunderstorm might damage loose structures like electric poles, solar panels etc. The PMD advised general public to stay at safe places during wind-storm/lightning/heavy rains.
July records 73pc more rains than previous years
Meanwhile, the PMD said that 73 percent more rains were recorded from July 1 to July 26 which was extra ordinary. The PMD said that 89.1 mm rains were recorded in the country as compared to average rains measuring 51.5 mm. Gilgit Baltistan recorded 229 percent more rains than average.
Sindh recorded 176 percent, Balochistan 114 percent and Punjab witnessed 40 percent more rain than average rains recorded in these areas during previous years.
