The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide alert ahead of a powerful monsoon spell forecast to hit the country from July 6 to 10.
The NDMA warned of torrential rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds that could trigger urban flooding, landslides, and severe disruptions.
According to the NDMA, above-normal rainfall is expected during this year’s monsoon season, with Sindh, south Punjab, and Balochistan identified as high-risk areas.
The authority has advised citizens to stay cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the period of intense weather activity.
The NDMA forecast includes strong rainfall and thunderstorms across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Lahore, Kasur, and Okara.
In south Punjab, heavy downpours are expected in Multan, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dera Ghazi Khan.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain is predicted in Upper and Lower Dir, Swat, Chitral, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Battagram, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Haripur, Bannu, and Kohat.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir will also be affected, particularly Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Astore, Diamer, Ghanche, Shigar, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Rawalakot, Haveli, and Bagh, where flash floods and overflowing streams are expected.
In Sindh, areas including Sukkur, Nawabshah, Kashmore, Hyderabad, Karachi, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Tando Allahyar, Thatta, Badin, Mithi, Ghotki, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Larkana, Jacobabad, and Dadu are expected to experience heavy rains.In Balochistan, districts such as Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, Barkhan, Jaffarabad, Kohlu, Sibi, Dera Bugti, Loralai, Lasbela, and Naseerabad are also likely to be hit by thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
The NDMA cautioned that low-lying urban areas could face waterlogging and traffic disruptions, while mountainous regions are at risk of landslides and flash floods.
Power outages and property damage are also possible.
Citizens have been urged to avoid travel during storms, stay away from weak structures such as billboards and electric poles, and drive carefully to avoid skidding and low visibility accidents.
All provincial and district administrations have been instructed to take preemptive measures to tackle possible emergencies, with special attention to rescue readiness and drainage systems.
Meanwhile, Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has separately issued a monsoon alert for July 5-10, marking the second wave of seasonal rainfall in the province.
Heavy showers are expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, and Faisalabad.
Thunderstorms with intense rainfall are also likely in Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar, and Mianwali.
Between July 6 and 8, rains are forecast in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Khanewal, Lodhran, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Layyah.
According to PDMA Director-General Irfan Ali Kathia, a sharp rise in river flows is expected from July 7.
He urged the public to stay alert and contact the emergency helpline 1129 in case of any crisis.
