The first monsoon spell is set to hit Pakistan this week, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The Met Office said a westerly wave is likely to enter the upper regions of the country by the evening or night of June 30. At the same time, moisture-laden currents from the Arabian Sea are continuously affecting eastern and central regions, while additional moisture from the Bay of Bengal is forecast to reach northern areas from July 2.
Under the influence of these weather systems, monsoon showers accompanied by strong winds and isolated heavy rainfall are expected across different regions from July 1 to July 6.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, rain, windstorms, and thunderstorms with occasional heavy falls are forecast in areas including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Bagh, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur throughout July 1-6.
Across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, intermittent rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy rainfall are expected from July 1 to July 5 in districts including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Malakand, Kohistan, Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and surrounding areas.
In Punjab, rainfall activity is likely between July 1 and July 6 in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and nearby districts. Southern and central districts, including Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, and Rajanpur, are expected to receive rain between July 3 and July 5.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, thunderstorms and gusty winds are forecast in Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, and surrounding districts from July 1 to July 5.
Meanwhile, parts of Balochistan, including Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Sibbi, Barkhan, and Dera Bugti, are expected to receive rain and thunderstorms from July 1 to July 4.
In Sindh, scattered rain and thunderstorms are likely on July 3 and 4 in Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Khairpur, Shikarpur, and nearby districts.
The Met Office has warned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable infrastructure such as solar panels, electric poles, and billboards during the forecast period.
Authorities have also cautioned about possible landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir between July 2 and July 6. Flash flooding may occur in local streams and nullahs in these regions, as well as hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan from July 2 to July 5.
Heavy rainfall may also trigger urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Narowal from July 1 to July 4.
The weather department has advised tourists and travellers to avoid unnecessary movement during the affected period and urged farmers to plan crop-related activities carefully while taking necessary measures to protect livestock.
The ongoing hot and humid weather conditions across the country are expected to ease as the monsoon system moves in.
