The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday announced that a fresh monsoon spell is set to commence in the country from the first week of July. According to an advisory, a westerly wave is likely to enter the upper parts of Pakistan from June 30, while moist currents from the Arabian Sea are continuously penetrating the eastern and central regions. Additionally, moist currents from the Bay of Bengal are expected to reach the upper parts from July 2.
Rainfall Forecast for Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Under the influence of this system, scattered rain, windstorm, and thundershowers, accompanied by isolated heavy falls, are expected in Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur from July 1 to July 6.
Rainfall in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, scattered rain, windstorm, and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls are predicted in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu, Waziristan, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan from July 1 to July 5, with occasional gaps.
Rainfall in Punjab and Islamabad
Rainfall is also predicted from July 1 to July 6 in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, and Narowal. Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Pakpattan, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Okara, Kasur, Noor Pur Thal, Bhakkar, Layyah, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, and Rajanpur are slated to receive rain from July 3 to July 5.
Rainfall in Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan
In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar from July 1 to July 5, with occasional gaps. In Balochistan, rainfall is expected in the northern and northeastern parts of the province, including Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Harnai, Sibbi, Barkhan, and Dera Bugti from July 1 to July 4.
Rainfall in Sindh
In Sindh, rain is predicted in Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, and Naushahro Feroze on July 3 and July 4.
Warnings and Advisories
The PMD warned that the weather may damage infrastructure such as solar panels, electric poles, and billboards. It also indicated a possibility of landslides in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir from July 1 to July 6. The department also warned of flash flooding in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan from July 2 to July 5. Furthermore, urban or flash flooding is expected in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Lahore, and Faisalabad from July 1 to July 4.
The PMD advised tourists to remain cautious and avoid travel during the forecast period. Farmers were advised to manage their crop activities accordingly. The department added that prevailing hot and humid conditions would likely subside during this period.
