The monsoon season began in Pakistan on Monday as spells of rain hit parts of the country while the Met Office has put Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar at risk of urban flooding due to heavy rain.

Light to heavy rain fell in various parts of Islamabad as it brought respite from hot and humid weather.

Jhelum and the surrounding areas also received rain with strong winds. Aaj News correspondent saw that the electricity supply was interrupted in different parts of the city.

Mirpur city of Azad Jammu and Kashmir also received heavy rain, while rain coupled with snowfall lashed parts of Murree.

Earlier on July 2, the Met Office informed that moist currents from the Arabian Sea were likely to penetrate in upper parts of the country and a westerly wave was also likely to enter in the upper parts of the country on July 3.

“Rain/wind-thundershower (with few heavy falls/hailstorms) is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Mianwali, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh from July 3 (evening/night) to July 8 with occasional gaps,” the Met Office had said.

The Met Office also expected rain/wind-thundershower with isolated heavy falls in Barkhan, Loralai, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Kalat, Khuzdar, Zhob, Lasbella, Awaran, Musakhel, D.I Khan, Bannu, Karak, Waziristan, D.G khan, Rajanpur, Multan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sahiwal and Okara from 05th to 08th July,

“Heavy rain may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala and Lahore and may trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from July 4 to July 7,” it stated.

The Met officer went on to add that heavy falls may cause flash floods in hill torrent areas of D.G. Khan and adjoining areas of northeast Balochistan from July 6 to 8.

The National Disaster Management Authority also directed all relevant departments to remain alert in view of rain spell from Monday till July 8, Radio Pakistan reported.

According to NDMA spokesperson, heavy rains with gusty winds and thunderstorms are expected in different parts of the country during this period which can trigger land sliding in hilly areas and flooding in the lowlands.

The NDMA asked the relevant departments to ensure the presence of emergency machinery and staff and issue advance notice to people in flood-risk areas.

It also advised tourists and visitors to remain informed about weather conditions before travelling and farmers and livestock owners to take necessary precautions in view of weather conditions.