The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast the longest spell of torrential rains across the country from April 27(Thursday) to May 3(Wednesday) and warned of flooding in several areas of Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh, including Karachi. According to the Met Office alert issued on Wednesday, the westerly system has developed depression in the Arabian Sea, the effects of which have started coming to move towards Gwadar and Karachi.

Under the influence of this weather system, the hot weather is expected in Karachi on April 27 while the temperature is likely to increase by 38 degrees. Consequently, torrential rains are expected in Sindh and Balochistan from April 28 to May 3 with occasional gaps, the Met Office said. However, heavy showers could cause urban flooding in several areas of Sindh, including Karachi. This rain system may be the most powerful system since 2009.

Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir are likely to receive rains from today April 26 which will continue till April 29, the Met Office said. It added that heavy rain could also trigger flash floods in the nullahs of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Shakargarh, Sialkot, Narowal, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Dir, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and Kashmir on August 15 and August 16. The Met Office further said that rain could trigger landslides in Kashmir, hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Galiyat, Murree, Chilas, Diamer, Gilgit, Hunza, Astore, Ghizer and Skardu during the forecast period.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP