LAHORE, Aug 18: Widespread rain with heavy to very heavy showers is forecast over the upper catchments of four eastern rivers and north and northeastern Punjab during Eid holidays.

According to Pakistan Meteorological Department’s Flood Forecasting Bureau Chief Riaz Khan, there are ample chances of widespread rain and swelling of the four rivers from Aug 20 to 22. But a final word can be delivered after checking weather conditions on Sunday (today).

Development of a fresh monsoon low over northwest Bay of Bengal and an approaching westerly wave that was located over northeast Iran on Saturday, are the basis of the significant weather forecast.

Weather pundits say the likely combination of the low and the westerly can generate heavy to very heavy rains, though at places, over the upper catchments of the rivers Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej in India. The combination can also affect upper catchments of the Jhelum.

The north and northeast region of Punjab that can also receive rain includes Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Lahore divisions Mr Khan says right now there is no imminent danger of very high floods in these rivers. But their level may increase, he declared saying a final assessment can be made on Sunday.

Meanwhile, it remained partly cloudy in Lahore and several other cities in Punjab on Saturday. The maximum temperature in the city was 38.2 degrees Celsius and the minimum 28 degrees Celsius.

The Met office forecast scattered thundershowers over Kashmir and isolated rain over Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the next 24 hours.