Islamabad, July 17, 2026: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday forecast widespread rain, windstorms and thundershowers across large parts of the country over the coming days as strong monsoon currents continue to influence Pakistan’s weather.
In a weather advisory, the PMD said monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea were continuously penetrating the upper and central parts of the country and were expected to intensify over the weekend. A westerly weather system is also likely to approach the upper parts of the country on Monday, July 20.
Under the influence of these systems, Azad Jammu and Kashmir is expected to receive widespread rain, windstorms and thundershowers, with scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall, from July 18 to July 25. The forecast covers Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian Bala, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhnoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur, with occasional breaks in the wet spell.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rainfall is expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan and Hangu from the night of July 19 through July 23.
Punjab is also likely to experience widespread rainfall. Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot and Narowal are expected to receive rain accompanied by heavy to very heavy falls from the night of July 19 to July 23. Southern and central districts, including Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Okara, Noorpur Thal, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur, are forecast to receive rain and thunderstorms from July 20 to July 24.
The PMD said Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, is expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall from July 18 to July 25.
In Balochistan, rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are forecast in the northeastern districts of Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibi, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, Barkhan, Dera Bugti and Khuzdar from July 19 to July 23.
Most parts of Sindh are expected to remain hot and very humid. However, isolated rain and thunderstorms are likely in Tharparkar, Mithi, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, Dadu and Jacobabad between July 20 and July 24.
The PMD warned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable infrastructure, including electric poles, billboards and solar panels.
It also cautioned that heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods in local streams and nullahs in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, while urban flooding is likely in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Multan and Faisalabad from July 20 to July 23.
The department advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas during the forecast period and urged farmers to plan agricultural activities in accordance with the expected weather conditions. It also called on all relevant authorities to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents.
