The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted torrential rains across the country from Monday due to the strong weather system entering the upper and central parts of the country.
According to PMD, the weather pattern will remain till Wednesday night. The National Disaster Management Authority also issued a similar alert, saying it had directed officials to adopt rain-emergency measures to prevent any untoward situation during the rains.
Under the influence of the system, widespread thundershower with isolated hailstorms are expected in Islamabad; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan.
The advisory states that Punjab including Rawalpindi, Murri, Galayat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakar, Laiya, Dera Ghazi Khan, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Sialkot, Narowal Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Kasur, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar and Multan will also receive heavy rains from Monday night to Wednesday.
Similarly, widespread rain-storm accompanied with isolated hailstorm is expected over Kashmir including Bhimber, Kotli, Mirpur, Poonch, Bagh, Haveli, Hatian, Muzaffarabad and Neelam Valley; During this period Gilgit Baltistan including Astor, Ghizar, Gilgit, Dimir, Hunza and Skardu and Northeast Balochistan including Zhob, Sherani, Musa Khel, Kohlu, Barkhan.
Downpours are also expected in Sukkur, Larkana, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Karachi, Dera Bugti, Jaffarabad, Naseerabad, Lasbela and Khuzdar from Tuesday evening till Wednesday.
The Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rains may cause landslides in sensitive areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Galyat, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
The weather office advisory said that due to heavy downpours, there may be sudden floods in local drains or rivers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and Northeast Balochistan.
“Travellers and tourists are advised to be extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.”
The Met Office said that all concerned officials have been advised to remain alert and take precautionary measures during the forecast period.