The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Monday that a fresh monsoon spell was set to begin in the country from the first week of July.

Monsoon rains fall across the region from June to September, offering respite from the summer heat and are crucial to replenishing water supplies. However, heavy downpours also trigger deadly floods, landslides and displacement, particularly in vulnerable, poorly drained, or densely populated areas.

In an advisory, the department said that a westerly wave was likely to enter the upper parts of the country from June 30. At the same time, “moist currents from the Arabian Sea are continuously penetrating the eastern and central parts of the country”.

It added that moist currents from the Bay of Bengal were expected to reach the upper parts from July 2.

Under the influence of this system, the PMD predicted that scattered rain, windstorm/thundershower, accompanied by isolated heavy falls, were expected in Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur from July 1 to July 6.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it said scattered rain, windstorm/thundershower (with isolated heavy falls) was expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu, Waziristan, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan from July 1 to July 5 with occasional gaps.

Rainfall was also predicted from July 1 to July 6 in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, and Narowal.

Meanwhile, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Pakpattan, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Okara, Kasur, Noor Pur Thal, Bhakkar, Layyah, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, DG Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur were slated to receive rain from July 3 to July 5 with occasional gaps.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain and thunderstorms were expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar from July 1 to July 5 with occasional gaps.

In Balochistan, the PMD forecast rainfall in the northern and northeastern parts of the province, including Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Harnai, Sibbi, Barkhan, and Dera Bugti from July 1 to July 4.

In Sindh, rain was predicted in Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, and Naushahro Feroze on July 3 and July 4.

The department further warned that the weather may damage infrastructure, such as solar panels, electric poles and billboards.

It also indicated a possibility of landslides in vulnerable areas of upper KP, GB, and Kashmir from July 1 to July 6. The PMD also warned of flash flooding in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, KP, GB and hill torrents of DG Khan from July 2 to July 5.

It further warned of urban/flash flooding in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad from July 1 to July 4.

It advised tourists to remain cautious and avoid travel during the forecast period. It further advised farmers to manage their crop activity accordingly and added that prevailing hot and humid conditions would likely subside during this period.

Punjab PDMA issues pre-monsoon alert

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab issued an alert in light of the forecast.

PDMA Director General Umar Javed said that on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, an alert has been issued to the commissioners, deputy commissioners and relevant institutions across the province.

All institutions have been directed to make advance security arrangements, he added. Javed advised citizens to avoid going to open places during lightning and thunder and stay in safe places.

He said that unnecessary movement should be avoided even during dust and strong winds.

Javed further advised farmers to take preventive measures to protect their crops, while tourists should be aware of the latest weather conditions and take precautionary measures while travelling to the northern areas.

The PDMA DG said that in case of any emergency, citizens should immediately contact the authority’s helpline 1129.

PDMA also warned of urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore and Faisalabad during the forecast period.