ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rains accompanied by thunderstorms in the upper and central parts of the country.

The monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are expected to enter Pakistan, while a fresh westerly wave is also likely to affect the region from August 30.

According to the PMD, Kashmir is likely to receive rains at most places, with chances of heavy downpours in some areas. Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab are expected to witness intermittent showers.

The cities including Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mardan, Bannu, D.I. Khan, Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Narowal are likely to experience rainfall during the forecast period.

In Sindh, rain is expected in Tharparkar, Sukkur, Larkana, and Dadu on August 30 and 31. Various parts of Balochistan are also likely to receive showers between August 30 and September 1.

The Met Office has warned that heavy rains may trigger flash floods in streams and nullahs and cause urban flooding in low-lying areas. Citizens are advised to take precautionary measures.

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Earlier,National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned that heavy rains from August 29 to September 2 could trigger floods and landslides in different parts of Pakistan, while Karachi faces the risk of urban flooding.

The Meteorological Department forecast heavy downpours in northern and northeastern Punjab on August 30 and 31, including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, and Mandi Bahauddin, where low-lying areas may go underwater. Central and southern Punjab, including Multan, D.G. Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan, also face flood threats during the same period.