The ongoing monsoon spell has gained strength, and according to the Meteorological Department, heavy rains are expected in many cities of the country, including Karachi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, from today.

Rising river levels have already created flood-like conditions.

Last night, light rain occurred in various parts of Karachi, while heavy rain in Dera Ismail Khan led to flooding of low-lying areas.

The Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rains are likely in the coming days in Islamabad, and other cities of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir.

There are also fears of cloudbursts in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Jhelum, Chakwal and Attock, it warned.

According to experts, rain with thunder is expected in Kashmir, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad and surrounding areas.

Rain is also likely in Mansehra, Abbottabad, Mardan, Swabi, Jhelum and Gujrat.

According to the Meteorological Department, some areas may experience heavy rain, increasing the risk of flash floods in rivers and canals and inundation of low-lying areas.

The public has been instructed to take precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, heavy rains in Sindh and Balochistan will continue till August 22. According to the Flood Forecasting Division in Lahore, the Indus River is experiencing moderate floods at Tarbela, Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa barrages, while a low-level flood is recorded at Guddu Barrage.

Similarly, the Sutlej River is experiencing a low-level flood at Head Sulemanki and Ganda Singh Wala.

Lahore is currently experiencing a weak monsoon system, which is causing dry and humid weather.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an advisory for possible rains from August 17 to 23, directing the district administration, WASA and LWMC to stay on high alert.

The water level in the rivers of Punjab is continuously rising. According to a PDMA spokesperson, the water flow at Tarbela has been recorded at 330,000 cusecs, 432,000 cusecs at Kalabagh, 480,000 cusecs at Chashma and 454,000 cusecs at Taunsa.

The PDMA DG has warned that rain in the upper regions may further increase river flow and advised the residents living near rivers to move to safer places.