Rain-wind, thundershowers are expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Punjab, the Pothohar region, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on Thursday, with isolated heavy rainfall likely during the evening and night, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said. The forecast comes as Rawalpindi and Islamabad experienced intermittent rain for a second consecutive day, with Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) staff deployed in low-lying areas.

However, rainwater could not be drained from the Jamia Girls Higher Secondary School in Rawalpindi, causing difficulties for students and disrupting teaching activities. The body of a girl who drowned in a Rawalpindi stormwater drain on Monday was also recovered. Rescue officials said the girl's dupatta and slippers were found near Gulberg Green, while CCTV footage of the incident has also emerged. According to the PMD, hot and humid weather will prevail in other plain areas of the country.

The department warned that heavy rains during the nights of September 3 and 4 could cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sialkot. Heavy rainfall may also trigger flash flooding in local streams and nullahs of Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi and the Pothohar region. The PMD also warned of landslides in hilly areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir.

In Islamabad and adjoining areas, partly cloudy weather with rain-wind/thundershowers is expected, with isolated heavy rainfall likely during the night. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain-wind/thundershowers are expected in Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Battagram, Buner, Nowshera, Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Malakand, Mohmand, Khyber, Bajaur, Kohat, Parachinar and adjoining areas. Isolated heavy rainfall is likely during the evening and night. In Punjab, hot and humid weather will prevail in most districts.

However, rain-wind/thundershowers are expected in Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Narowal, Sialkot, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat and adjoining areas, with isolated heavy rainfall possible during the night. Sindh is expected to remain hot and humid, while partly cloudy conditions with chances of drizzle are forecast in coastal areas, including Karachi. Balochistan will also remain hot and humid in most districts, with partly cloudy conditions expected in coastal areas. In Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, partly cloudy weather with rain-wind/thundershowers is expected, while isolated heavy rainfall may occur in Kashmir.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)