Met Office warns of urban floods as monsoon rains to lash Pakistan from Monday

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday warned of urban floods in multiple cities as it predicted monsoon rains in the country starting July 3.
Moist currents from the Arabian Sea are likely to penetrate upper parts of the country and a westerly wave was also likely to enter in these areas on the evening of July 3, according to the Met Office.
Under the influence of these weather systems, rains with few heavy falls or hailstorm are expected to hit Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and central Punjab until July 8.
“Heavy rain may cause urban flooding in low lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore and may trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from 04th to 07th July,” the PMD said in its advisory.
Similarly, rains or thundershowers have been predicted in Barkhan, Loralai, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Kalat, Khuzdar, Zhob, Lasbella, Awaran, Musakhel, D.I Khan, Bannu, Karak, Waziristan, D.G khan, Rajanpur, Multan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sahiwal and Okara from July 5 till July 8.
Monsoon showers with isolated heavy falls are also expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Ghotki, Shaheed Benazirabad, Larkana, Mithi, Chhor, Padidan, Nagarparkar, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Sanghar, Mirpur Khas, Dadu, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad and Karachi on July 7-8.
“Heavy falls may cause flash flood in hill torrent areas of D.G. Khan and adjoining areas of northeast Balochistan from 06th to 08th July,” the PMD said.
It advised farmers to manage their activities keeping the weather forecast in view and tourists remain cautious to avoid any untoward situation during this period.
“Loose structures like electric poles, solar panels etc may damage during dust storm/wind-thunderstorm & heavy falls and general public is advised to stay at safe places during the period,” the Met Office added.
Last year, Pakistan witnessed one of worst monsoon rains and floods that submerged a third of the South Asian country at one point.
The deluges killed more than 1,700 Pakistanis, affected 33 million and caused $30 billion losses.