Heavy rains continued to lash northern parts of Pakistan on Monday, swelling rivers and streams, disrupting traffic, and prompting authorities to issue flash flood and landslide warnings for several mountainous regions.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast widespread rain accompanied by thunderstorms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, Islamabad, upper and central Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan. In contrast, hot and humid conditions are expected to persist across the country’s southern regions.

Rain ranging from light showers to heavy downpours brought pleasant weather to Islamabad.

In Balochistan, most districts are expected to remain hot and humid, although thunderstorms and rain are forecast for Khuzdar, Musakhel, Sherani, Kohlu, Zhob and Barkhan.

In Abbottabad and surrounding areas, continuous rainfall caused streams to overflow, while water accumulated on the Karakoram Highway, severely disrupting traffic.

Heavy rain and dense fog also reduced visibility to near zero in the Galiyat region. The Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) advised tourists to avoid travelling to Nathia Gali and Dunga Gali and warned against parking vehicles in landslide-prone areas.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a flash flood alert for the mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The authority warned that accelerated glacier melting could continue until July 25, significantly increasing water flows in rivers and streams.

The NDMA said Hunza, Nagar, Skardu, Shigar, Astore and Diamer face risks of flooding and landslides, while Upper and Lower Chitral and adjoining areas have been declared highly vulnerable.

Water flow in the Indus River has also intensified near Shangla, raising concerns among local authorities.

In Lahore, light rain was recorded in several parts of the city. According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), the highest rainfall was recorded in Gulshan Ravi at 34.2 millimetres, followed by Samanabad with 31.6mm.

Other recorded rainfall included 17.4mm in Saggian, 11.6mm in Farrukhabad, 11mm in Iqbal Town, 6.8mm at Lakshmi Chowk, 1.4mm at Pani Wala Talab, 0.4mm at Chowk Nakhuda, and 0.2mm each at WASA Head Office Gulberg and Nishtar Town.

No rainfall was recorded on Jail Road, at the airport, Upper Mall, Mughalpura or Tajpura.

WASA said its drainage teams remain on high alert, with Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed personally monitoring drainage operations to ensure rainwater is cleared promptly and minimise inconvenience for residents.