PMD warns of strong monsoon rains, urban flooding, landslides

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of torrential downpours, urban flooding and landslides as a fresh round of monsoon rains is expected over the nation from the first week of July.

The Met Office has forecast rain in numerous parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir from July 1 to 6 including Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Bagh and Haveli. Rain is also expected in several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from July 1 to July 5.

Rain has also been forecast for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum. Rain is likely in Sahiwal, Jhang, Multan and Khanewal from July 3 to 6.

The Met Office said monsoon rains are also expected to hit Gilgit-Baltistan from July 1-5 while many parts of Sindh and Balochistan could also receive showers.

The department cautioned that lightning and strong rains could cause damage to susceptible structures while landslides could still occur in the hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir.

It stated that streams, local watercourses in mountainous areas may witness flash floods. Heavy rainfall may also cause urban floods in low lying parts of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad.

Tourists and visitors have been warned not to make needless travels as severe weather conditions are possible, the Met Office has said.