The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast thunderstorms and rain across upper and central parts of the country from Aug 12 to 15, with heavy rainfall expected at some locations and risks of urban flooding and landslides.

The weather department said monsoon currents were penetrating the upper parts of the country, while a westerly wave was also influencing the upper regions, creating conditions for thunderstorms and rain.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, intermittent thunderstorms and rain are expected in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from the night of Aug 12 through Aug 15. Some areas may receive heavy rainfall.

Rain is also forecast in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar in Gilgit-Baltistan during the same period.

In upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Galiyat, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Haripur, Kurram and Khyber from Aug 12 to 15.

Parts of northeastern Punjab, including Murree, Sialkot, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib, are also expected to receive intermittent rain from the night of Aug 12 through Aug 15.

Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the Potohar region are likely to experience thunderstorms and rain from the evening or night of Aug 13 until Aug 15, with heavy rain possible at some locations.

The PMD also forecast rain in Sargodha, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Zhob, Barkhan and Musa Khel from the night of Aug 12 through Aug 15.

In Sindh, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy to cloudy in southeastern and coastal areas. Tharparkar, Umerkot and Sanghar may receive thunderstorms and rain on Aug 12 and 13, while other parts of the province are likely to remain hot and humid over the next few days.

The weather department warned that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore.

It also warned of landslides in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra, Haripur and Abbottabad, as well as in Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir.

The PMD advised tourists and travellers to remain cautious during the period and urged farmers to plan agricultural activities according to weather conditions and ensure the safety of livestock.

All relevant institutions have also been directed to remain alert and take necessary precautionary measures to deal with any possible emergency.