Widespread monsoon rains, accompanied by heavy to very heavy downpours are expected in Pakistan from late July through August 5.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are expected to enter the upper and central parts of Pakistan from July 29.
Meanwhile, a westerly weather system currently affecting northern areas is likely to intensify from August 1, increasing rainfall across much of the country.
Under the forecast, rain, wind and thunderstorms with heavy to very heavy falls are expected in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Kotli, Mirpur and surrounding districts, from the night of July 28 until August 5, with intermittent breaks.
In Punjab and Islamabad, widespread rain and thunderstorms are expected between July 29 and August 4.
Areas likely to receive heavy rainfall include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Sahiwal and Pakpattan.
Southern Punjab, including Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, is expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall from July 31 to August 3.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also expected to experience widespread rain and thunderstorms from July 29 to August 5.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast for Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Kurram, Khyber, Bajaur and several other districts.
Gilgit-Baltistan is likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall from the evening of July 28 until August 6, particularly in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar.
In Balochistan, rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are expected in Zhob, Loralai, Sibbi, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Gwadar, Turbat, Kech, Panjgur and nearby areas from the evening of July 31 to August 3.
Sindh is expected to receive rain and thunderstorms with isolated moderate to heavy falls from the evening of July 31 until August 2.
The affected districts include Karachi, Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Jacobabad and Shaheed Benazirabad.
The Met Office has warned that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar and Nowshera between July 30 and August 4.
Similar flooding is possible in several districts of Sindh, including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Badin, Thatta, Sanghar, Khairpur, Mirpurkhas and Umerkot, from July 31 to August 2.
The weather agency also cautioned that landslides may occur in vulnerable mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galyat and Azad Jammu and Kashmir from July 30 to August 5.
Flash floods may develop in local streams and hill torrents across Kashmir, Murree, Galyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan during the forecast period.
Strong winds, heavy rain and lightning may damage vulnerable infrastructure, including electric poles, solar panels and billboards.
The PMD has advised tourists and travelers to exercise caution, while farmers have been urged to plan agricultural activities according to weather conditions and ensure the safety of their livestock.
Punjab Issues Alert as Fourth Monsoon Spell Expected from July 29
