WEB DESK: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts indicate that various regions across Pakistan are set to experience a day of heavy rainfall and strong winds on Sunday. Areas in Sindh, Northeast and South Punjab, East Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pothohar region, and Kashmir are all on alert for adverse weather conditions, including thunderstorms.
In the federal capital, Islamabad, and the surrounding areas, residents may encounter gusty winds and thundershowers throughout the day.
Punjab govt orders enhanced vigilance as flood threat looms
The situation in Punjab is expected to be particularly severe, with cities such as Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and several others likely to be hit by heavy rain. Strong winds and thundershowers are also forecasted for Lahore, Rawalpindi, and nearby regions, potentially causing disruptions.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts including Chitral, Swat, Abbottabad, and Peshawar are predicted to get strong winds and thunder. Some areas may experience particularly intense downpours.
In Sindh, major cities such as Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur are expected to witness heavy rain accompanied by strong winds. The downpour is predicted to be especially severe in certain locations, raising concerns about potential flooding.
Balochistan is also on alert, with regions such as Quetta, Zhob, and Khuzdar preparing for significant rainfall. Strong gusts of wind and thunderstorms are anticipated, with the potential for heavy rain in several districts.
Kashmir is forecasted to experience rain and thunderstorms, with some areas likely to receive particularly heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan is expected to remain partly cloudy, though isolated thunderstorms and strong winds may occur in certain locations.
PDMA warns of rising water level in Chenab river
PMD has issued a warning for August 17 and 18, cautioning that heavy rains could lead to flooding in several regions. Areas at risk include Dera Ghazi Khan, Koh-e-Sulaiman, Harnai, Sibi, Mastung, Kharan, Jhal Magsi, Kohlu, Nasirabad, Jafarabad, Zhob, Bolan, Kalat, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Lasbela, Awaran, Makran, Godar, Dadu, Murree, Galiyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, as well as North-East Punjab and Kashmir, particularly in local streams and mountainous regions.
Additionally, the PMD has highlighted the risk of flooding in low-lying areas of Lower Sindh and Punjab, including Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, as well as in Nowshera and Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PMD also warns of potential traffic disruptions due to landslides in the mountainous regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, and Kashmir.