KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Light rain fell in several parts of Karachi on Friday, shortly after the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued fresh forecasts warning of more showers in the city between August 27 and 30, along with widespread heavy rainfall across the country during the same spell.
North Karachi, New Karachi, North Nazimabad, Board Office, Scheme 33 and Surjani Town were among the localities that received the morning drizzle.
According to the PMD, another monsoon system is likely to affect Karachi and other areas of Sindh from August 27. The department also predicted heavy rainfall in upper and central regions of the country between today and August 27.
Rainfall is expected in Sindh and Balochistan between August 27 and 29. The PMD said monsoon currents are already entering the northern areas of the country.
The advisory further stated that Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot and other adjoining areas may receive heavy showers until August 27, while parts of Gilgit-Baltistan are also likely to see rainfall with strong winds and thunderstorms.
Showers are also expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Kohat and Peshawar. In Punjab, rain is likely in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum and Mandi Bahauddin. From Friday evening, Mithi, Tharparkar, Umerkot and Mirpurkhas are forecast to receive thunderstorms with rain.
The NDMA, in its latest advisory issued earlier in the day, also warned of potential widespread heavy rainfall and flooding in several parts of the country starting today.
The advisory says GB and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the regions most impacted by the monsoon rains, are likely to see scattered showers and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy downpours that can trigger flash floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in mountain valleys.
According to the NDMA, heavy rains are likely in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Sialkot, Gujrat and Hafizabad from August 23 to 30.
Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Mansehra, Battagram, Abbottabad, Malakand, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Tank, Bannu and Lakki Marwat are also expected to receive heavy rains during the same period.
The NDMA added that Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche and Shigar may also experience heavy rainfall from August 23 to 30.
The authority has directed provincial and district bodies to step up monitoring of glacial sites, conduct evacuation drills in vulnerable communities and keep rescue services on high alert.
Meantime, civic agencies and law enforcement agencies have also been asked to prepare emergency plans, stock up on supplies and ensure roads can be cleared quickly if blocked by floods or landslides.
The NDMA has directed the public to avoid unnecessary travel in flood-prone areas, especially near rivers and fast-flowing streams and nullahs, warning that vehicles could be swept away.
People living in low-lying areas have been told to stay vigilant and follow evacuation plans if instructed.
Tourists have been advised to avoid trekking around glaciers, take photographs close to dangerous sites or wander into unstable terrain.
The NDMA has forecast heavy rain across several parts of Sindh and Balochistan, also during the said period.
In Sindh, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Tharparkar, Hyderabad, Jamshoro and Nawabshah are also likely to receive rain during the same period. Other districts, including Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Ghotki, and Larkana, have also been placed on alert.
In upper Sindh, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore and Shaheed Benazirabad may experience heavy showers.
In Balochistan, parts of the province, including Lasbela, Khuzdar, Awaran and Qalat, may witness heavy showers. Coastal towns such as Gwadar, Turbat, Kech and Panjgur are also expected to be affected.
The wet spell could reach Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob and Loralai, while intermittent showers are forecast for Barkhan, Musakhel, Dera Bugti and Kohlu.
The NDMA alert says that rains may trigger urban flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas, warning people to remain cautious.
The Indus River flows may rise sharply, particularly at Guddu, Taunsa and Kalabagh, while the Ravi and Chenab are also expected to swell with increased discharge.
Officials say emergency equipment will be placed in advance, evacuation centres will be prepared, and early warning systems will stay active to help communities through the wet spell.