Pakistan’s Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday forecast widespread rain, windstorms and thundershowers across most parts of the country from July 18 to July 25, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides and urban flooding in vulnerable areas.

The PMD said monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea were continuously penetrating the upper and central parts of the country and were expected to strengthen over the weekend, while a western disturbance was likely to approach the upper parts of the country on Monday, further enhancing rainfall activity.

The Met Office forecast rain, windstorms and thundershowers with scattered heavy to very heavy falls in Kashmir from the evening of July 18 to July 25, with areas including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur likely to be affected.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rainfall activity with scattered heavy to very heavy falls is expected from the evening of July 19 to July 23 across Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan and Hangu.

The PMD said Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot and Okara were also likely to receive rain, windstorms and thundershowers with scattered heavy to very heavy falls from July 19 to July 23.

Southern and western districts of Punjab, including Noorpur Thal, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur, are expected to receive rainfall from July 20 to July 24.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, moderate to heavy rain, windstorms and thunderstorms are forecast in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar from the evening of July 18 to July 25.

Balochistan is likely to experience rain, windstorms and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls from July 19 to July 23 in Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibi, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti and Khuzdar.

Most parts of Sindh are expected to remain hot and very humid, though isolated rain and thundershowers are likely in Tharparkar, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Dadu and Jacobabad from the evening of July 20 to July 24.

The PMD warned that windstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including solar panels, electric poles and billboards. It also cautioned that landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir between July 20 and July 25.

The department warned of possible flash flooding in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, northeastern Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan during the wet spell.

Heavy rainfall could also trigger urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan and Faisalabad from July 20 to July 23.

The PMD advised tourists and travellers to avoid unnecessary journeys during the forecast period, while farmers were urged to plan crop activities according to weather conditions and ensure proper care of livestock.

The department said the prevailing hot and humid weather was likely to subside during the forecast period and advised authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautionary measures to avoid any untoward situation.