PMD Predicts Another Monsoon Spell in Pakistan

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms in several parts of the country over the next 24 hours and warned of possible urban flooding and hill torrents.

The Met Office said no flood-generating rainfall is expected before July 28. However, it forecast a stronger monsoon spell from July 29 that will affect Islamabad, upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the upper catchments of major rivers.

The Flood Forecasting Division said the overall river situation remains under control. It reported high water flows in the Chenab River at Marala and the Ravi River at Balloki, while the Indus, Jhelum, and Kabul rivers continue to flow at low flood levels.

Authorities expect the Chenab and Ravi to rise further during the next 24 hours, while the Indus is likely to remain at low flood levels over the next 48 hours.

The PMD said rain will continue in Lahore and several other districts through July 27. During the past 24 hours, Noorpur Thal received the highest rainfall at 115 millimeters, followed by Gujranwala with 107 millimeters and Gujrat with 94 millimeters. Lahore has recorded 450 millimeters of rainfall over the past five days.

Meanwhile, the PMD forecast light rain and drizzle in Karachi over the next two days and predicted moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of interior Sindh, including Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, and Sanghar. The department warned that strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea could trigger urban flooding and damage vulnerable structures due to strong winds and lightning.