Heavy rains, thunderstorms likely in Pakistan from July 5

Widespread monsoon rains are likely across Pakistan from July 5 to July 10 with some breaks in between.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department says that moist currents are continuously coming into the country, so rains are likely to continue for the next few days and will get stronger from the evening or night of July 5.

A westerly wave will also reach the upper parts of the country on July 6. Because of these conditions, the whole country is likely to see widespread monsoon rains till July 10.

In Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rains with gusty winds and scattered heavy to very heavy showers are expected in areas like Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur, Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Waziristan, Orakzai, Manshera, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu and Kurram from July 5 to 10 with gaps.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, rains and gusty winds are expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar from July 6 to 10 with gaps.

Punjab and Islamabad will also see rains and gusty winds with scattered heavy to very heavy showers in places like Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar and Mianwali from July 5 to 10 with breaks.

Areas like Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan and Layyah are likely to get rains and gusty winds from July 6 to 8.

In Balochistan, rains and gusty winds with isolated heavy showers are expected in northeastern and southern areas like Sherani, Musakhel, Loralai, Sibbi, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Kalat, Lasbella, Khuzdar, Awaran, Kalat, Jaffarabad, Dera Bugti and Kohlu on the evening or night of July 3 and July 4 and again from July 6 to 8.

In Sindh, light to moderate rains and gusty winds are expected in Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin and Karachi on the evening or night of July 3 and on July 4 with gaps. Some places in southeastern and lower Sindh may also get isolated heavy showers.

Heavy to very heavy rains may cause flash floods in streams and local drains in Murree, Galiyat, Manshera, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, the hill areas of Dera Ghazi Khan, northeast Punjab, Kashmir and parts of Balochistan from July 5 to 8.

Downpours may cause urban flooding in low-lying parts of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera and Peshawar from July 6 to 8.

Landslides and mudslides may block roads in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Rains, windstorms and lightning may damage weak buildings, electric poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels. Farmers should plan their activities according to the weather. Travelers and tourists should avoid unnecessary trips to risky areas and stay updated about any changes in weather conditions.