ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an outlook predicting prolonged periods of rainfall, wind, and thunderstorms across the northern and central regions from August 17 to 21, with sporadic intervals of clear weather.
Current monsoon currents are actively affecting northern Pakistan and are expected to continue over the coming days. Additionally, a westerly wave is anticipated to enter the northern parts of the country from August 17, creating a combined effect that could bring widespread rainfall throughout much of Pakistan.
In Kashmir, scattered showers accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms, including the possibility of heavy localized rainfall, are forecasted for areas such as Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur. These conditions are expected to begin on the evening of August 16 and persist until August 21, with occasional dry spells.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also set to experience significant rainfall, especially in districts like Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, and Mardan. The rainfall is expected to occur from August 17 through 21, with some areas in the southern part of the province, including Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, and Waziristan, experiencing rain later, on August 20 and 21.
Islamabad and northern Punjab will also witness rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds, starting from the evening of August 16 and continuing until August 21. This includes areas such as Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang, Attock, Sialkot, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, and Noorpur Thal.
Heavy rainfall is also forecasted for Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, and D.G. Khan on August 20 and 21. In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain, wind, and thunderstorms are expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar from August 18 to 21, with intermittent gaps.
Meanwhile, most districts of Sindh and Balochistan are predicted to remain hot and humid, although regions such as Musakhel, Barkhan, Zhob, Kalat, and Khuzdar could experience rain, wind, and thunderstorms from the evening of August 17 through August 20.
The PMD has issued a warning that heavy rainfall during this period may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, and Lahore between August 17 and 20. There is also an increased risk of landslides in the hilly terrains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir during this forecast period.
Travelers and tourists heading to these regions are advised to exercise caution amid unpredictable weather conditions. Farmers are also urged to plan their agricultural activities carefully and safeguard their livestock.
The PMD has called on relevant authorities to remain alert and implement necessary precautions to mitigate potential impacts of the active weather system.
