The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms across the country between August 23 and 27.

According to the Met Office, monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal will intensify and enter the upper parts of the country from August 22.

A westerly wave is also expected to affect northern areas from the night of August 22.

In Sindh and the eastern parts of southern Balochistan, heavy rainfall is expected between August 27 and 29. From August 23-27, frequent rain and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy to very heavy falls, are forecast in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhnoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, districts including Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar are likely to receive rain and thunderstorms with heavy downpours at some places.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also expected to receive widespread rain from Aug 23–26 in districts including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Kohat, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan.

Similarly, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad and Sahiwal are likely to experience frequent rain and thunderstorms, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at scattered locations.

Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan are also expected to receive intermittent rain with isolated heavy falls between Aug 24 and 27.

In Sindh, rain and thunderstorms are forecast in Mithi, Tharparkar, Umerkot and Mirpurkhas between Aug 23 night and Aug 26. In Balochistan, districts including Barkhan, Musakhel, Loralai, Sibi, Zhob, Qalat and Khuzdar may also receive rainfall during the same period.

The PMD has warned that heavy to very heavy downpours from Aug 23–26 may cause flash flooding in local streams and seasonal nullahs in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, northeastern Punjab, Kashmir and Dera Ghazi Khan. The public has been advised to remain cautious.

Travellers and tourists have been urged to exercise extra care, plan journeys in line with weather conditions, and stay updated to avoid untoward incidents.

PDMA Punjab issues monsoon alert

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued an alert for the 8th spell of monsoon rains in the province, expected during Aug 23–27.

According to PDMA, westerly winds will enter northern Punjab from Aug 22 night, triggering heavy rainfall.

Alerts have been issued regarding possible flooding in rivers, cloudbursts, and urban flooding in upper Punjab districts, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat and Hafizabad.

The PDMA has warned of a likely surge in water flows in the upper reaches of rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and associated nullahs. Commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province have been put on high alert.

DG PDMA directed residents living near the Sutlej River to move to safer locations immediately.

He added that currently the Indus River has low-level flooding at Tarbela and medium-level flooding at Taunsa, while flows at Kalabagh and Chashma are normal. The Sutlej River is experiencing medium-level flooding at Ganda Singh Wala and low-level flooding at Sulemanki.

Meanwhile, flows in the Chenab, Jhelum and Ravi rivers remain normal. Tarbela Dam is 100% full, Mangla Dam is 75% full, while Indian reservoirs Bhakra, Pong and Thein are 80%, 87% and 85% full, respectively.