The ongoing monsoon spell is expected to remain active across the upper parts of the country on Saturday, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasting rain, thunderstorms and heavy downpours in several areas.
According to the Flood Forecasting Division (FFD), the current spell is likely to persist until Sept 5 before monsoon activity begins to weaken from Sept 6.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at scattered places in upper Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the upper catchments of major rivers.
The Met Office warned that heavy downpours could cause water accumulation and urban flooding in low-lying areas of Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal.
Streams and nullahs in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly those linked to the Kabul River, could also experience increased flows and flooding.
In Punjab, rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Attock, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Jhelum, Khushab, Lahore, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali, Narowal, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Sheikhupura and Sialkot.
Similar weather conditions are expected in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Abbottabad, Bajaur, Buner, Charsadda, Mansehra, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Swat and Dir. Isolated rainfall is also forecast for parts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan.
The FFD said water flows in the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi rivers could register a slight increase over the next 24 to 36 hours.
Tarbela Dam has reached its maximum conservation level, while Mangla Dam is holding around 78 per cent of its storage capacity, according to the division.
Low-level flooding has been reported at some points along the Indus River, while flows in other major rivers remain within normal limits.
Authorities have advised people to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall, exercise caution in low-lying areas and stay away from rivers, streams and nullahs.
