Good news of rains has come to the citizens worried about the heat and humidity in Pakistan, however, the Meteorological Department has also issued instructions to exercise caution in view of the possible dangers posed by heavy rains. According to the organization, a new monsoon series will enter most parts of the country from the beginning of July, due to which thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy rains are expected in various cities.
According to the Meteorological Department, a new series of westerly winds will start affecting the upper regions of the country from June 30, while humid winds coming from the Arabian Sea are already entering the central and eastern parts of the country. From July 2, moisture-rich winds from the Bay of Bengal will also join this system, which is expected to increase the intensity and spread of rains.
According to weather experts, rains are likely to start in various districts of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh from July 1. Intermittent rain may continue in many areas, while heavy rain may also be recorded at a few places.
Rain has been predicted in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiat, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Gujrat, Sargodha and other districts of central Punjab from July 1 to 6. Rains have also been predicted in various areas of southern Punjab from July 3.
Thunderstorms are also expected in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, Dir, Chitral, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Nowshera, Bannu, Kohat, Kurram, Waziristan and other areas, while there is a risk of landslides in the mountainous areas of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Upper Sindh districts, including Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Ghotki, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Nowshera Feroze and Qambar Shahdadkot, are expected to receive rain on July 3 and 4. Similarly, northern and northeastern districts of Balochistan may also be affected by this weather system.
The Meteorological Department has warned that continuous or heavy rains may cause flooding in local rivers, flash flooding in hilly areas and urban flooding in major cities. Low-lying areas are particularly likely to be inundated in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Peshawar and Nowshera.
Moreover, there is a possibility of damage to vulnerable buildings, electricity poles, billboards and solar panels during strong winds and thunderstorms. The Meteorological Department has advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during bad weather, tourists to travel to northern areas with caution and farmers to take timely measures to protect crops.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has also issued an alert across the province in view of possible monsoon rains and directed all commissioners, deputy commissioners, rescue agencies and district administrations to make advance safety arrangements. The agency has appealed to citizens to stay in safe places during lightning, strong winds and heavy rain and immediately contact the relevant relief agencies in any emergency situation.
The Meteorological Department says that although these rains will significantly reduce the intensity of heat and will be beneficial for water bodies, taking precautionary measures is very important for the safety of the public.