RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast a week-long wet spell in different parts of the country from tomorrow (Monday).

It asked the local administrations to make arrangements to deal with any possible emergency situation.

According to a weather advisory, the Met Office said strong monsoon currents were likely to penetrate from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal into upper parts of the country from July 22. Under the influence of this weather system, rain wind/thundershower (with few heavy falls) are expected in Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from July 21 (evening) to July 27 with occasional gaps.

Rains, wind/thundershower (with few heavy falls) are also expected in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar and Mianwali from July 22 to 25 with occasional gaps.

Rain-wind/thundershower is expected in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan and Layyah on July 23 and July 24.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain-wind/thundershower (with few heavy falls) are expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Bajaur, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Hangu, Kurram, Orakzai, Waziristan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan from July 22 (evening) to July 24.

Mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most districts of Balochistan. Rain-wind/thundershower is expected in north/eastern parts of the province including Khuzdar, Kalat, Lasbella, Awaran, Ziarat, Zhob, Barkhan, Musa Khel, Shirani, Kohlu, Harnai, Naseerabad and Jaffarabad) with occasional gaps.

In Sindh, mainly hot and very humid weather is expected in most districts while rain-wind/thundershower is expected in Mithi, Sanghar, Umarkot, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Sukkur, Larkana and Dadu on July 23 and 24 with occasional gaps.

Partly cloudy to cloudy weather conditions are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan. However, rain is expected in Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar from July 22 to July 27.

The advisory said heavy falls may generate flash flooding in nullahs/streams of Murree, Galliyat, Manshera, Kohistan, Malakand, Dir Swat, Shangla, Bunner, Kurrum, Orakzai, Khyber, Mohmand, Nowshera, Swabi and Kashmir on July 23 and 24. Heavy falls may also cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Punjab and KP on July 23 and 24. Landslides may disrupt roads at the vulnerable hilly areas of KP, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Travelers and tourists are advised to remain extra cautious and manage their travel plans according to the weather conditions to avoid any untoward situation during the wet spell.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2024