RAWALPINDI/LAHORE: The monsoon season is expected to sweep Pakistan a week earlier than expected, after the Met Department predicted rainfall from June 25.

Usually, monsoon rains in the region start in July and last till midSeptember. However, Chief Meteorologist Zaheer Babar told Dawn there have been some changes to the monsoon pattern in the past few years.

The weather system is expected to result in flash floods, urban inundation, landslides and other rain-related hazards, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned.

According to the PMD, moist currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal have already begun to penetrate the upper and centralparts of Pakistan and are likely to intensify over the next couple of days.A strong westerly wave is expected to approach the northern regions on June 2s and may become prominent by June 26, resulting in heavy rainfallacrossfourprovinces.

Under the influence of these mete-orological conditions, moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from June 24 to July 2.

A similar weather pattern is expected to set in in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar areas of GilgitBaltistan from June 26 to 29.

In Punjab, rainfall and thunder-storms are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar and Mianwali from June 25 to July 1.

In south Punjab, rainfall is expected in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, D.G. Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan and Layyah from June 26 to 28.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, monsoon rains are expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Bajaur, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Mohmand, Khyber, Waziristan, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hanguand Kurram from June 25 to July 1.

In Balochistan and Sindh, downpour is expected in Sherani, Musakhel, Loralai, Sibbi, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Kalat, Lasbella, Khuzdar, Awaran, Kalat, Jaffarabad, Dera Bugti, Kohlu, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Kashmore, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Thatta, Badin and Karachi from June 25 to 28.

Flash floods The Met Department has warned heavy rains may lead to flash floods in local nullahs and streams of Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Hill torrents are expected in D.G. Khan, northeast Punjab and Kashmir from June 26 to July 1.

Urban flooding is expected in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera and Peshawar from June 26 to July 1 and in Hyderabad and Karachi from June 26 to 28.

Landslides are expected in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir and GB.

Travellers and tourists have been advised to check the weather forecastbefore travellingto these areas.

The Met Department has warned heavy downpour, gusty winds and lightning may damage mud houses, electric poles, billboards and solar panels.

PDMA advisory In light of the forecast, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an advisory for district administrations to prepare for monsoon rains.

Many cities of Punjab have received pre-monsoon rains, with precipitation expected to intensify in the coming days. In response to the Punjab chief minister`s directives, district administrations and departments of health, irrigation, local government, and livestock have been put onhigh alert.

Rescue 1122 has been instructed to remain prepared to deal with emergency situations.

Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, seek shelter during storms and refrain from going out in open areas during lightning strikes.

According to PDMA, its helpline 1129 is operational for complaints.

With input from APP