ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and weather officials have issued nationwide alerts as a strong monsoon system from July 7 to July 10 is expected to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms across Pakistan.
The NDMA said, based on an assessment by its National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), that major river flooding is not expected. However, water levels in the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers may rise during the rainy period.
Officials warned that heavy rainfall could cause flash floods in hill torrents and seasonal streams. Low lying urban areas may also face water accumulation, while landslides remain a risk in mountainous regions.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said moisture from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, along with a western weather system, will bring rain, strong winds and thunderstorms to several regions.
The affected areas include Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad, the Potohar region, northern and central Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and parts of northern Balochistan.
Sindh is expected to remain hot and humid, but some upper districts may receive isolated showers. The PMD warned that heavy rain could cause urban flooding in major cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Peshawar and Nowshera.
Authorities also warned of possible landslides in vulnerable areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
In Balochistan, monsoon activity is expected on July 7 and 8, with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast in areas including Harnai, Loralai, Sibi, Barkhan, Musa Khel, Khuzdar and Dera Bugti.
