Pakistan Issues Nationwide Monsoon Alert Through July 28

The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a nationwide weather advisory on Friday, forecasting monsoon rain, thunderstorms and isolated heavy downpours across large parts of the country through July 28. The alert covers Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir as an active weather system moves through the region.

Meteorologists said a low-pressure area over southwestern Rajasthan and nearby regions was drawing moist monsoon currents into Pakistan's southern and central areas. These conditions are expected to generate intermittent rainfall, gusty winds and thunderstorms, with the intensity varying between districts during the forecast period.

In Sindh, heavy rain is possible in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Hyderabad, Thatta, Sanghar, Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur and several adjoining districts between Friday evening and Monday. Karachi is expected to remain cloudy and may receive light rain, while stronger spells could affect interior parts of the province.

Punjab is also expected to experience rain, windstorms and thunderstorms in Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot and surrounding areas. Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree and the Galiyat region may receive rainfall with occasional breaks through the weekend.

The Met Office forecast similar conditions across much of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Swat, Chitral, Bannu, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat, Mardan and the merged tribal districts. Rainfall is also expected in several areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, where mountainous terrain increases the risk of landslides and disruption on vulnerable roads.

Officials warned that intense rainfall could cause urban flooding in Lahore, Gujranwala, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Multan, Faisalabad and other low-lying urban centres. Strong winds and lightning may damage weak structures, electricity installations and trees, while sudden runoff could affect local roads, crops and livestock.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said provincial departments had been placed on high alert following the forecast. District administrations, rescue teams and emergency services were instructed to remain prepared, while pumping equipment and machinery were being positioned in areas considered vulnerable to water accumulation.

The latest advisory comes during an already destructive monsoon period. At least 37 people had died in rain-related incidents by earlier this week, while flash floods and landslides damaged homes, farmland, livestock and transport links in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. Lahore also recorded its heaviest rainfall of the season, leaving roads inundated and disrupting routine activity.

The approaching weather spell could create further challenges for commuters, farmers, tourists and emergency authorities. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during severe rainfall, stay away from unstable structures and flooded routes, and monitor official updates as provincial and district administrations assess conditions through July 28.