ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain-wind/thundershowers in various parts of the country during next 24 hours, accompanied by a flash flood warning in vulnerable districts due to expected heavy downpours.
Rain is expected in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), northeastern Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir, while hot and humid weather will prevail in other parts of the country, particularly Sindh and southern Balochistan.
The PMD has warned that heavy rainfall may generate flash flooding in local nullahs and streams in parts of KP including Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Kohat, Karak, Hangu, and Tank, as well as DG Khan, South Punjab, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir.
Citizens are advised to take precautionary measures as windstorms, lightning and heavy downpours may damage vulnerable structures such as kacha houses, electric poles, billboards, solar panels, and parked vehicles.
In Islamabad, partly cloudy skies are expected with a 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rainfall is expected in Chitral, Swat, Buner, Shangla, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Peshawar, and southern districts including Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Waziristan, and Tank.
Upper and central Punjab including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Sargodha, and Jhang are expected to receive rain-wind/thundershowers. Southern Punjab districts such as Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Bhakkar, Multan, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Lodhran, Toba Tek Singh, Pakpattan, Vehari and Sahiwal may witness rain with isolated heavy falls.
Sindh will remain hot and humid, though isolated rain is possible in Tharparkar, Umerkot, and some coastal areas during evening or night. In Balochistan, isolated rain-thundershowers are likely in Barkhan, Musakhel, Zhob, Khuzdar, Lasbela, and Awaran, while the rest of the province will remain hot and humid. Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to experience cloudy weather with rain and thunderstorms, with heavy falls expected in some areas of Kashmir.
The authorities have urged citizens, particularly in flood-prone areas, to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rains. The emergency services and local administrations have been put on alert to deal with any untoward situation.