ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Meteorological Department on Sunday warned that torrential rains from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1 could trigger floods and landslides in the country’s low-lying and northern areas, urging citizens to take extra precautions to stay out of harm’s way.
The Met Office said moist currents from the Bay of Bengal are likely to penetrate the upper parts of the country from Sept. 25, adding that a westerly wave is also likely to approach the upper parts of Pakistan from Sept. 26.
“Heavy rains may increase flow in local nullas/streams in Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Kohistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Nowshera, Swabi, Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Northeast Punjab during the forecast period,” the Met Office said in a statement.
It added that torrential rains may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Sialkot while landslides may disrupt roads in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir and GB during the rain forecast period.
In KP, the Met Office said rain and thundershowers are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Peshawar, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kurram, Orakzai and Kohat from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1.
In Hangu, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan and Dera Ismail Khan, heavy rains are expected from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1 with occasional gaps.
In Punjab, the Met Office forecast rain with thundershowers in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, Wazirabad from Sept. 26 to Oct. 1.
In Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur and Bhakkar, the department forecast heavy rains with thundershowers from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1.
In Azad Kashmir, it said that rain with thundershowers is expected in Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from Sept. 26 to Oct. 2.
In the country’s northern GB area, the Met Office said rain and thunderstorms were expected in Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza, Ghanche and Shigar from Sept. 26 to Oct. 2.
Meanwhile, it forecast hot and dry weather in the southern provinces of Balochistan and Sindh during the same period.
“However, rain, wind and thunderstorm is expected at isolated places in Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Umerkot and adjoining areas from 26th to 28th September,” the Met Office said.
It warned that windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures such as the roofs and walls of mud houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels.
The Met Office urged farmers to manage their activities keeping in mind the weather forecast.
“Travelers and tourists are advised to remain extra cautious and manage their traveling according to weather conditions and avoid any untoward situation during the wet spell,” it said.
