RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, wind and thunderstorms in upper and central parts of the country from August 17 to 21, with occasional gaps, and warned of urban flooding in several areas.

The Met Office has advised provincial departments to remain vigilant as monsoon currents continue to penetrate upper parts of the country. A westerly wave is also likely to enter the upper parts of the country from Aug 17.

Under the influence of the weather system, scattered rain, wind and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls, are expected in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from the evening/night of Aug 16 to Aug 21, with occasional gaps.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain, wind and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar and Mardan from Aug 17 to 21.

Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, DI Khan, Bannu and Waziristan may receive rain on Aug 20 and 21.

In Islamabad and upper Punjab, rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang, Attock, Sialkot, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali and Noorpur Thal from Aug 16 to 21.

Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur and DG Khan may receive rain on Aug 20 and 21.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar from Aug 18 to 21.

Sindh and Balochistan are expected to remain mainly hot and humid. However, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Musakhel, Barkhan, Zhob, Kalat and Khuzdar from Aug 17 to 20.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2026