ISLAMABAD(National Times)- The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a weather advisory on Wednesday predicting more rain in the upper regions of the country over the weekend, particularly in the Potohar region and Islamabad.
The Met office said that monsoon currents were penetrating the upper parts of the country, according to the advisory issued at 3pm on Wednesday. It added that a westerly wave was also affecting these regions and likely to strengthen on September 4-5 (Friday and Saturday).
Under the influence of this weather system, it said that rain-wind and thundershowers — with isolated heavy falls — were expected in Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from Thursday to Sunday, with occasional gaps.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, the same is expected in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar during the same time period.
Rain-wind and thundershowers “with scattered heavy falls, at times very heavy” were forecast in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Peshawar, Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu and Waziristan, from the evening of Sep 3 to Sep 5 with occasional gaps.
In Islamabad and upper Punjab, similar thundershowers and isolated heavy or very heavy falls were predicted in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang, Attock, Lahore, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Hafizabad and Kasur from Sep 3-5. The PMD forecast the same in Okara, Nankana Sahib, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Noorpur Thal, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan and the surrounding areas between Sep 4-5 with occasional gaps.
The Met Office added that “mainly hot and humid weather” would prevail in most parts of Sindh and Balochistan during the forecast period, but noted that rain-wind and thunderstorms were expected in Zhob, Bar Khan, Musakhel and the surrounding areas.
The PMD advisory warned that the heavy rains may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Lahore on Friday and Saturday.
It also warned of flash flooding in local streams and nullahs in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, GB, Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat and the twin cities during the forecast period.
“Landslides may occur in hilly areas of KP, GB, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir during the forecast period,” it added, advising tourists and travellers to “remain cautious”.
The PMD also advised farmers to manage their crop activities in view of the weather conditions. It asked all concerned authorities to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid untoward situations.
Heavy rain has already been lashing Rawalpindi and Islamabad this week, inundating low-lying areas on Tuesday morning and raising the water level in Leh Nullah.
On Monday, about two hours of heavy showers caused rainwater to accumulate in streets and low-lying areas of Rawalpindi, turning roads into small ponds. Many cars and motorcycles were seen stranded in rainwater.
