ISLAMABAD, July 2: The preliminary forecast by the Meteorological Department suggests normal monsoon rains this year.

This was stated by the chief meteorologist, Lahore, Shaukat Ali on Tuesday while speaking on a PTV programme.

He said the climate cycle which remained disturbed during the past few years was returning to normal with hopes of normal monsoon rains during the season which may start soon.

He said the amount of the expected rains would vary from place to place throughout the country. However, he said, the Northern Areas of the country would receive more rains while in southern areas there would be lesser rains.

There were possibility of spells of 100 millimetres to 200 millimetres of rainfall in various areas which may bring floods, he added.

It was, therefore, necessary that precautionary measures be taken to meet the situation, he said and added that during August there were chances of flash floods.

Even before the start of regular monsoon season, he said, many areas had received sufficient rainfall. Recently some cities and their suburbs had received over 150mm rain.—APP