Heavy rain, urban flooding and landslide threats forecast across Pakistan

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, strong winds and hailstorms in Islamabad and several parts of the country during the next 24 hours. Heavy rain is expected in Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and Balochistan, with some areas likely to receive thunderstorms and hail. Urban flooding is feared in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Lahore. Flooding is also possible in streams and waterways in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Murree, Galiyat, Azad Kashmir and Dera Ghazi Khan. The weather department has also warned of landslides in hilly areas of Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Gilgit-Baltistan. Most plains will remain partly cloudy, while a few areas may face severe windstorms and hailstorms. The PMD warned that strong winds and hail could damage weak structures and advised citizens and all relevant departments to remain alert. The risk of flooding and landslides is the tip of the iceberg as heavy rain continues to pose a threat to several parts of the country.