Lahore, Islamabad, Pakistan Rains: Eighth Monsoon Spell Begins

Widespread rains are likely in Islamabad, Lahore and parts of Pakistan on Saturday night.

The eighth spell of monsoon will continue intermittently in the country till August 27.

Synoptic Situation:

A seasonal low lies over north Balochistan. Strong monsoon currents from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea penetrate the upper and central parts of Pakistan. A westerly wave also affects most upper parts of the country.

Pakistan Meteorological Department Forecast:

Due to the above-mentioned conditions, widespread monsoon rains and wind/thundershowers are likely in the twin cities and Lahore. Rain likely falls in parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Met office predicted isolated heavy rains in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir. And in Pothohar region and northeast Punjab. It forecasts rains at isolated places in south Punjab, northeast/south Balochistan and southeast Sindh.

Impacts and Advises:

Widespread rains may generate flash floods in local nullahs/streams of Chitral, Dir and Swat. In Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Manshera, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi and Mardan. Met office predicted flash floods in Murree, Galiyat and Islamabad/Rawalpindi. And in northeast Punjab, Kashmir and hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan.

Bursts of heavy rains may cause urban flooding in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan. Landslides/mudslides may cause road closures in the vulnerable areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir.

Downpour and high velocity winds may damage dilapidated buildings, electric poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels. Public, travellers, and tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to vulnerable areas and remain updated about the latest weather forecast.

Islamabad and Lahore’s maximum temperature is expected to remain between 33°C and 35°C on Sunday and between 32°C and 34°C on Monday and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, rains occurred in Karachi, northeast Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir during the last 24 hours.

Rainfall (mm):

Punjab: Gujrat 68, Gujranwala 28, Murree 26, Sialkot Airport 19, Bahawalnagar 18, Chakwal 14, Hafizabad 13, Islamabad 06, Rawalpindi (Pirwadhai 06, New Katarian 05, Shamsabad 01), Sargodha & Faisalabad 01

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Dir (Upper 17, Lower 10), Malam Jabba 12, Kalam 07, Peshawar & Takht Bai 05, Pattan 01

Kashmir: Kotli 06

Sindh: Karachi (Nazimabad 03, Surjani Town, University Road 01)