Met Office issues forecast for monsoon rains for several regions

ISLAMABAD: The Meteorological Department has predicted the first organised spell of monsoon rainfall for several regions of Pakistan particularly over northern and northeastern parts of the country.

According to the Met Office, the monsoon start will bring intermittent rainfall, while isolated heavy downpours may trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas and flash floods in vulnerable hilly regions.

In Punjab, rain-wind and thundershowers are expected across major cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha, Jhelum, Chakwal, and surrounding areas. Occasional rainfall may also extend to southern and central districts such as Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan, with heavier spells likely in northeastern Punjab and the Potohar region.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, scattered rain and thunderstorms are likely across most districts including Peshawar, Swat, Abbottabad, Mardan, Dir, Chitral and Kohat, with upper and mountainous regions expected to receive isolated heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

Northern and northeastern districts of Balochistan, including Zhob, Barkhan, Sibi, Kohlu and Dera Bugti, may also receive light to moderate rainfall, with isolated heavy showers possible in some areas.

In Sindh, scattered rain-wind and thundershowers are likely in districts including Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu and Jacobabad, mainly during July 3–4, accompanied by gusty winds at isolated locations.

Gilgit-Baltistan is expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall in several districts including Skardu, Gilgit and Hunza, raising concerns over possible flash floods and landslides in mountainous terrain.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir is also likely to experience widespread rain and thunderstorms during the period, with heavier spells in higher altitude areas, increasing the risk of landslides and localized flooding.

Authorities have urged caution and vigilance as the monsoon system progresses across the country.