Widespread rains forecast as new monsoon system enters Pakistan
PDMA Punjab advises people to take precautionary measures
Widespread rains are expected to lash large swathes of the country today and tomorrow as a new monsoon system will start making its presence felt from today, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Under the impact of the system, the Met Office said on Tuesday, thundershowers, accompanied by strong winds, were expected in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan on July 7 and July 8.
The Met Office said that there could be heavy rainfall at isolated places in these areas.
It also forecast rain and strong winds for Islamabad, Murree, Galyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali and Bhakkar during the aforementioned period.
The Met Office said there were chances of heavy rainfall at isolated places in these areas.
In KP, the Met Office informed, thundershowers, heavy at a few places, were likely in Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismael Khan, Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram and Orakzai on July 7 and July 8.
In Balochistan, rain was likely to hit Zhob, Barkhan, Musakhel, Sheerani, Sibbi, Kohlu, Loralai, Harnai, Ziarat, Qila Saifullah, and Qila Abdullah, the Met Office said, adding that in Sindh, showers were expected in Tharparkar, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Qambar, Shahdadkot and Naushero Feroze.
The weather department said that heavy rains would result in flooding in streams and nullahs in Kashmir, KP, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Punjab and Balochistan besides landslides.
Warning was issued about urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Mardan and Gujranwala.
The Met Office said that since strong winds and lightning could damage weak structures, electricity poles, trees, cars and solar panels, therefore people, including tourists, were advised to avoid travelling unnecessarily during inclement weather.
It also asked the concerned departments to remain on their toes and complete arrangements in order to deal with any untoward situation.
On the other hand, DG PDMA Punjab Omar Javed said that on the instructions of Punjab CM, an alert had been issued to commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province.
He asked people, including tourists, to contact on helpline number 1129 in case of an emergency.
Reporters: Rozeena Ali and Ali Ramay