ISLAMABAD โ Nationwide rains on Saturday disrupted routine life in major cities including Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Lahore, causing urban flooding, traffic jams and power outages.
No respite from urban flooding is in sight as the wave of rains is likely to continue with variable intensities until July 26.
Widespread rains in the upper and lower catchment areas increased the flow of major rivers.
As more rain is expected and there is a possibility of more water discharge from India due to filling of dams, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Flood Forecasting Division has warned of major flooding in major rivers, their tributaries and torrents in the Dera Ghazi Khan hills and adjacent areas of Balochistan.
However, cloudy conditions, high speed winds and rain showers made the weather pleasant by lowering the temperature across Pakistan.
Rain-wind/heavy showers in some places in Pothohar region, Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh, northeast/south Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Precipitation (mm)
Punjab: Lahore (Airport 209, Gulshan-e-Ravi 204, Nishter Town and Taj Pura 198 each, Johar Town 190, Lakshmi Chowk 182, Shahi Qila 177, Qurtaba Chowk 175, Mughalpura 167, Iqbal Town 164, Farrukhabad 163, Upper Mall 128, Chowk Nakhuda 12 6, Gulberg 115, City 113, Saman Abad 104), Jhelum 99, Narowal 68, Mandi Bahauddin 47, Kasur 27, Mangla 25, Noorpurthal 24, Islamabad (Saidpur 23, Bokra 01), Murree 16, Okara 05, Bhakkar 04, Bahawalpur (City 03, PA 0 1), Gujranwala and Sialkot 02 each and Gujrat 01.
Synd: Karachi (North Karachi 42, Surjani 31, Gulshan Maymar 17, Gulshan e Hadid 03, Orangi Town and Saadi Town 02 each, University Road 01), Nagarparkar 17, Chachro 16, Dahli 05, Mithi 04, Shaheed Benazirabad and Kaloi 02 each, Mirpur Khas 01.
Cashmere: Garhi Dupatta 41, Muzaffarabad (AP 29, City 25), Kotli 01.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Balakot 36, Bannu 21, Chitral 13, Malam Jabba 08, Kakul 07, Dir and Pattan 06 each, Saidu Sharif 02, Kalam and DI Khan 01 each.
Balochistan: KSAlat 30, Lasbella 05, Barkhan 01.
Gilgit-Baltistan: Skardu 12, Gilgit 04, Goshawk 01.
According to the synoptic situation, monsoon currents continuously penetrate the country from the Bay of Bengal. A western trough is also affecting the high parts of the country that may persist for the next few days.
Under the influence of these conditions, showers, wind and thunderstorms are expected in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad, Pothohar region, Punjab, Northeast and South Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh during Saturday afternoon/evening.
Sharp drops are likely to occur in Kashmir, northeast Punjab, Pothohar region, Islamabad, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast and southern Balochistan, and Sindh during the forecast period.
Rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected on Sunday in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, the Pothohar region, Punjab, northeast and south Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. Sharp drops are likely to occur in Kashmir, northeast Punjab, Pothohar region, Islamabad, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast and southern Balochistan, and Sindh during the forecast period.
The spell of rain is likely to continue intermittently with occasional heavy drops through July 26.
Heavy rains may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore on July 22-26.
The wet period can trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hilly areas during the period.
Heavy rains may lead to flash floods in Kashmir, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Manshera, Abbottabad, Rawalpindi/Islamabad during the period.
Flash flooding is also likely to occur in the torrent of Dera Ghazi Khan Hills and North-Eastern and Southern Balochistan (Barkhan, Kohlu, Sherani, Harnai, Bolan, Loralai, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Kech, Awaran, Pasni, Ormara, Gwadar and surrounding areas) on 22-23 July.
Heavy rains may cause waterlogging in low-lying areas of Lower Sindh (Tharparkar, Umarkot, Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Khairpur, Kashmore, Ghotki, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Matiari, Hyderabad, Tando Allah Yar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Badin, Thatta, Sajawal, Karachi and Hyderabad) from 22-24 February. july.
