Heavy rains predicted from July 1 to 6

LAHORE: The Meteorological Department has predicted pre-monsoon rains in the country in the first week of July.

According to PDMA Punjab, rain and hail with wind and thunderstorms are expected in most districts of Punjab from July 1 to 6, there is a risk of urban flooding in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Faisalabad.

The Meteorological Department has said that from today, the evening or night of June 30, a series of westerly winds may enter the country, humid winds are also entering the eastern and central regions of the country from the Arabian Sea and there is a possibility of rain with wind and thunderstorms in various places of Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan from July 1 to 6.

According to the PDMA spokesperson, rain is expected in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Murree, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Faisalabad and Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Nankana Sahib, DG Khan, Multan and other areas from July 1. An alert has been issued to commissioners and deputy commissioners across Punjab.

Meanwhile, according to the Meteorological Department and PDMA, temperatures in Gilgit-Baltistan are being recorded 6 degrees Celsius or higher than normal in the last week of June, due to which the risk of rapid melting of snow and glaciers has increased, which is leading to landslides in mountainous areas, bursting of glacial lakes, sudden floods in rivers and streams, and heat stress and urban flooding in low-lying areas. Residents of the area should take special precautions and be aware of changes in the weather. There is a possibility of further increase in the intensity of heat in plains and the temperature may exceed 45 degrees Celsius.

Additionally, urban flooding has been forecast in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad from July 1 to 4.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has predicted hot and dry weather in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the next 24 hours, with further increase in temperatures in the plains and upper districts.