The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather forecast predicting widespread rain, strong winds, and thundershowers across much of the country in the coming days, with monsoon activity expected to intensify starting August 17. The alert comes amid ongoing monsoon-related disasters that have already caused significant loss of life and damage.
Since late June, flash floods and torrential rains have devastated numerous regions across Pakistan. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), at least 312 people, including 142 children, have lost their lives, while 740 others have sustained injuries.
The casualties include 113 men, 57 women, and 142 children, with the injured comprising 243 children, 209 women, and 288 men. The relentless downpour, which began on June 26, has wreaked havoc on communities, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
In its latest advisory, the PMD explained that monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea continue to move into the upper parts of the country, while moisture-laden currents from the Bay of Bengal are expected to strengthen around midweek. Additionally, a westerly weather wave currently affecting the region is forecasted to intensify from August 17 onwards.
Under these meteorological conditions, the PMD predicts rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds with scattered heavy rainfall in several parts of the country, including Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Gilgit-Baltistan between August 14 and 17. This wet spell is expected to continue and expand from August 18 to 21, particularly affecting northern regions such as Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, and multiple districts in Gilgit-Baltistan.
KP is forecast to experience widespread rain from August 18 to 21, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in districts such as Dir, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, and Mardan. Southern KP districts including Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, Tank, and Dera Ismail Khan are also likely to see showers with occasional heavy spells.
Punjab province, including cities like Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Faisalabad, is expected to face heavy rainfall during this period, while southern Punjab districts may see scattered showers. Several areas in Balochistan, including Barkhan, Zhob, Khuzdar, Gwadar, and Panjgur, along with parts of Sindh such as Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and Tharparkar, are also forecast to receive rain between August 18 and 22.
The PMD has warned that heavy rains may cause flash floods in local streams and nullahs, particularly in KP, Murree, Galliyat, northeast Punjab, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir from August 15 to 21. Hill torrents are also possible in Dera Ghazi Khan and eastern Balochistan from August 18 to 21. Urban flooding is likely in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Peshawar, and Nowshera during this period.
The forecast further warns of landslides and mudslides in hilly areas of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and AJK, which could disrupt roads and transportation. Strong winds, thunderstorms, and lightning may damage weak structures such as rooftops, mudhouse walls, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels.
In light of these developments, the public, travelers, and tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas and to stay updated on weather reports. Authorities at all levels have been urged to remain vigilant and prepared to respond swiftly to any emergencies caused by the intensified monsoon activity.
