ISLAMABAD, Aug 7: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted widespread monsoon rains and thundershowers in parts of the country between August 8 and 14. The current meteorological conditions indicate that a strong weather system is in a developing stage over Uttar Pradesh in India and this weather system will move westward.

Under the influence of this weather system, widespread rains and thundershowers are expected in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, northeast Balochistan and Kashmir. Heavy falls may cause flood in these areas.

Met office says that monsoon is likely to remain active over Pakistan during second and third week of August. In this active phase, two to three strong weather systems are expected to approach Pakistan.

The possibility of urban and flash flood in the vulnerable areas of northeast Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and southwest Punjab would be high during the heavy spells of monsoon rain.

Meanwhile, the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) in its daily flood situation report says that the westerly wave still persists over northeastern Afghanistan and is getting intensified and seasonal low pressure lies over northwestern Balochistan as the moist current from the Arabian Sea is penetrating into Punjab up to 3,000 feet and likely to intensify. Presently, all the main rivers: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej are flowing normal except River Kabul which is in low flood at Warsak with rising trend.

On Saturday actual river flows and reservoir elevations indicate that Tarbela and Mangla dams are at the elevations of 1494.68 feet and 1197.05 feet respectively, which are 55.32 feet and 12.95 feet below their respective maximum conservation levels of 1550.00 feet and 1210.00 feet.

According to the report, scattered thunderstorm and rain is expected over Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Northern and Northeastern Punjab including Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala and Lahore divisions, besides upper catchments of the Rivers Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej during the next 24 hours. Isolated thunderstorm and rain may also occur over Southern Punjab including Bahawalpur division.