The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued a rain alert after westerly winds entered the upper parts of the province, forecasting widespread showers from Thursday night until October 7.

According to a PDMA spokesperson, intermittent rains are expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, and Wazirabad. Showers are also likely in Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sargodha, Jhang, Nankana Sahib, and Toba Tek Singh.

From October 6 onwards, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rajanpur, and Rahim Yar Khan are also expected to receive rain with thunder and lightning.

Authorities warned that heavy downpours in Murree, Galiyat, and Rawalpindi could trigger hill torrents and cause an increase in water flow in seasonal nullahs.

The PDMA has directed all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners across Punjab to remain on high alert.

Emergency instructions have also been issued to the local government, agriculture, irrigation, health, forest, livestock, and transport departments.

Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, cooperate with rescue teams, and strictly follow safety guidelines issued by PDMA.

In case of emergency, residents can contact the PDMA helpline at 1129.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast partly cloudy weather with chances of rain in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. In Sindh, most districts will remain hot and dry, though Dadu, Badin, Mithi, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Sujawal, Karachi, and Thatta are likely to receive showers.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, hot and dry weather will persist in the plains, but Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi, Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, and Abbottabad may witness rainfall.

Hot and dry weather is expected to dominate most parts of Punjab and Balochistan outside the rain-hit zones.