Fifth monsoon spell to begin July 28

WEB DESK: The fifth spell of monsoon rain is set to lash large swathes of Pakistan starting July 28, with authorities warning of urban flooding, landslides, and possible structural damage in vulnerable areas.

According to the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), rain is expected in most districts across Punjab from July 28 to 31, including Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Multan.

The Relief Commissioner of Punjab, Nabeel Javed, has directed commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to stay on high alert. “This year’s monsoon is significantly more intense, 73percent more rainfall has been recorded compared to the same period last year,” he said in a statement.

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Emergency control room staff and rescue teams have also been placed on high alert. The PDMA specifically warned of landslides in Murree and Galiyat, and damage to mud houses, unstable walls, electricity poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast thundershowers with strong winds in upper and central regions starting July 28, as a westerly weather system enters the country.

Rain is expected in Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northern KP, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Skardu, Hunza, Swat, Malakand, Abbottabad, Bajaur, Mardan, and Peshawar. Islamabad and Rawalpindi are also likely to receive intermittent rain during the period.

Urban flooding, landslide risk persists

The Met Office has warned of urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, and Sialkot, while landslides may disrupt traffic in GB, Murree, and Galiyat.

From July 29–31, rain is likely in southern Punjab districts including Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, and Multan.

In Sindh, most areas will remain hot and humid, though scattered showers are expected in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Khairpur, Dadu, Sukkur, and Larkana by the end of the month.

Flash flooding remains a risk in seasonal streams of Azad Kashmir, especially in areas receiving heavier downpours.