The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday forecast rain-windstorms and thundershowers in the upper parts of the country during the weekend as moist currents from the Arabian Sea and a westerly wave are expected to influence weather conditions from Saturday.
According to the PMD, rain-windstorms and thundershowers, with isolated heavy falls, are likely in Kashmir from the night of July 10 to July 13 with occasional gaps. Similar weather is expected in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on July 11 and 12, while scattered rain accompanied by windstorms and thundershowers is forecast for Islamabad, Rawalpindi and several districts of Punjab on July 11 and 12.
The Met Office said rain-windstorms and thunderstorms are also expected in various parts of Gilgit-Baltistan from the evening of July 11 to July 13, while isolated rain-windstorms are likely in northern and northeastern districts of Balochistan on July 11 and 12.
In Sindh, mainly hot and very humid weather will prevail, although isolated rain-windstorms and thundershowers are expected in Tharparkar, Sukkur, Shikarpur, Larkana, Dadu and Jacobabad on July 12 and 13.
The PMD warned that windstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including solar panels, electricity poles and billboards, during the forecast period.
It said landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on July 11 and 12, while water levels are likely to rise in local streams and nullahs in these regions as well as in hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan.
The department also cautioned that heavy rainfall could trigger localized urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad on July 11 and 12.
The PMD advised tourists and travellers to avoid unnecessary journeys during the forecast period and urged farmers to plan agricultural activities according to the weather conditions while taking necessary care of their livestock.
It added that the prevailing hot and humid conditions are expected to ease during the forecast period and advised all concerned authorities to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to avoid any untoward situation.
National Disaster Management Authority’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) today warned that sudden glacial floods and landslides pose an immediate, high risk threat to northern Pakistan and ordered tourists and non essential travellers to avoid mountain routes from 10-14 July.
NEOC said landslide alerts cover 11-13 July while flood and river surge warnings apply across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir until July 14; authorities will carry out rapid hazard assessments and relay real time warnings to local administrations.
Officials warned that rising temperatures and ongoing heavy rain could trigger Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), debris flows, sudden river surges and rockfalls in vulnerable glacial valleys and hill torrents.
NDMA named multiple high risk zones including Badswat, Ashkoman, Hinarchi, Yasin, Khaplu, Hisper Hoper, Gultang and surrounding areas .
Authority also highlighted vulnerable roads such as Jaglot-Skardu, Hunza-Gojal and Gilgit-Ghizer, plus routes to Naltar, Bagrot and Hermosh.
The NEOC urged immediate precautions like stay away from glacial lakes, river channels and known flood paths also avoid travel on landslide prone roads and follow instructions from local authorities.
NDMA warned bank erosion and sudden debris flows could rapidly worsen conditions and instructed district administrations to mobilize emergency response teams and issue on-the-ground warnings.
For official updates and safety guidance, the public and visitors must use the Pakistan NDMA Disaster Alert app.