The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain across several parts of the country, including the federal capital, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir over the next 24 to 48 hours.
The Met Office said that rain, accompanied by wind and thunderstorms, is likely in various parts of Islamabad, with some areas expected to experience heavy rainfall. "Partly cloudy weather is expected in the capital, however, isolated heavy spells may occur," a spokesperson from the department said.
On Sunday, rain was reported in Murree Mianwali, Attock, Jhang, South Waziristan and Swat. The change in weather provided temporary relief from the prevailing heatwave conditions in some northern and central regions.
Rain forecast in KP and Punjab
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rainfall is expected in Upper and Lower Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, as well as in the provincial capital Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, and Charsadda. Other districts likely to receive rain include Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Kohat, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Hangu, Bannu, Tank, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan.
In Punjab, most areas are expected to remain partly cloudy, but the PMD said intermittent rain is forecast in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum. Rain is also likely in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Gujarat and Nankana Sahib.
Further south, scattered showers are forecast in Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha and Bhakkar. Rain is also expected in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Muzaffargarh, Khanewal, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan.
Sindh and Balochistan to remain hot and humid
Despite isolated rain forecasts, hot and humid conditions are likely to dominate most districts in Sindh and Balochistan. However, light to moderate rain may occur in parts of Umerkot, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad and Shikarpur. Coastal areas of the province, including Karachi, may see partly cloudy weather with light rainfall at a few locations.
In Balochistan, the weather will largely remain dry and hot, though rain is expected in Barkhan, Sibi, Kohlu, Musakhel, Qila Saifullah, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Zhob, Khuzdar and Lasbela.
Caution advised
The Meteorological Department has advised authorities to remain alert in areas where heavy downpours could lead to urban flooding or landslides, particularly in hilly regions and urban centres with inadequate drainage systems.
Farmers and travelers have also been cautioned to plan activities keeping the weather conditions in mind, especially in rain-prone areas of northern and central Pakistan.
