ISLAMABAD: The Met Office warning regarding flash floods and snow melting remains active in the northern parts of the country while the water level is poised to rise in the eastern rivers in the wake of heavy downpours in India-held Kashmir.

The presence of clouds over most of the central and northern parts of the country has reduced the mercury level with the maximum temperature in Islamabad recorded at 32°C on Monday.

It is likely to reduce further by one degree on Tuesday (today).

Due to the absence of heavy clouds over the region, no rainfall is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

However, heavy rainfall in the coming days will be beneficial for the rice crops mainly in central Punjab and the agricultural lands in barani areas of Punjab and KP.

The Met Office said a seasonal low lies over northern Balochistan and its trough is extending northwards. As a result, moderate moist currents from Arabian Sea were penetrating in upper parts of the country.

The country will face hot and humid weather conditions but at the same time a westerly wave is also present over upper parts of the country.

The combination of cool westerly winds with the warm moist airs from the Arabian Sea will result in rain/thundershower associated with gusty winds with isolated heavy falls at scattered places in Kashmir, Islamabad, Hazara, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Lahore divisions.

Isolated heavy rainfall is expected in Malakand, Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan, Bannu, Zhob, DG Khan and Sahiwal divisions.

The heavy fall over central Punjab in coming days could cause urban flooding.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2019