Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Tuesday said a new system of pre-monsoon rains was expected to enter the South Asian country this week, which might generate urban floods in eastern and southern parts.
Moist currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are likely to enter upper parts of Pakistan from June 29, which may intensify and expand to southern parts of the country by the end of this week.
Under the influence of this system, rain-windstorms and thundershowers are expected in Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Swat, Peshawar, Nowshera, Chakwal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Jhang and Bahawalnagar from June 30 till July 4, according to the met office.
Similarly, rain-windstorms and thundershowers are likely to lash Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Dadu, Zhob, Ziarat, Barkhan, Quetta, Kalat and Sibi on July 1-5.
“Heavy falls may generate urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad from 2nd to 4th July, and in Karachi and Hyderabad from 3rd to 5th July,” the PMD said in a statement.
It said flash flooding was expected in stormwater drains in Kashmir and in some districts of Balochistan during this period.
The met office advised travelers and tourists to remain careful during the forecast period and cautioned fisherfolk against rough sea conditions from July 3 till July 5.
Pakistan has for long received pre-monsoon rains, but the impacts of climate change have increased their intensity and frequency over the past few years.
After months of hot weather, a strong system last week caused massive rains and windstorms in several parts of the country.