Rain, thunderstorms lash much of Pakistan; more wet weather on the way

ISLAMABAD, Mar 30 (APP):Widespread rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds battered scattered areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan over the past 24 hours, with isolated heavy downpours also recorded during the period.

The rest of the country experienced partly cloudy conditions during the period.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded the heaviest rainfall, with Cherat topping the charts at 82mm, followed by Malam Jabba 73mm, Peshawar Airport 72mm, Kakul 51mm, Pattan 49mm, Bannu 45mm, Kalam 43mm, Dir 38mm, Lower Dir 36mm, Bacha Khan Airport 33mm, Takht Bai 31mm, Chitral 29mm, Balakot 28mm, Drosh and Saidu Sharif 27mm each, Parachinar 24mm, Mir Khani 17mm, and Dera Ismail Khan City 10mm. In Punjab, Joharabad recorded 54mm, while various Islamabad stations logged between 7mm and 45mm, with Saidpur Village receiving the highest at 45mm. Rawalpindi’s Shamsabad recorded 49mm, New Kattarian 38mm, Pirwidahi 31mm, Katcheri 28mm, and Gawalmandi 16mm.

Murree received 41mm, Attock 20mm, Karor Layyah 17mm, and Kot Addu 14mm. In Azad Kashmir, Muzaffarabad Airport received 36mm and the city 31mm, Garhi Dopatta 27mm, Rawalakot 25mm, and Kotli 4mm. Gilgit-Baltistan also saw rainfall, with Chilas receiving 10mm, Astore 7mm, Gupis 5mm, Gilgit 3mm, and Bagrote 1mm.

The highest maximum temperatures recorded today were in Sindh, where Padidan and Mithi reached 37C, Shaheed Benazirabad 36C, and Sukkur and Mohenjo Daro 35C. Among major cities, Islamabad recorded a minimum of 16C and maximum of 25C, Lahore 19C and 31C, Karachi 23C and 31C, Peshawar 15C and 20C, Quetta 8C and 24C, Gilgit 12C and 20C, Muzaffarabad 14C and 16C, Skardu 8C and 16C, and Murree 5C and 11C.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, scattered rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds are forecast across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northeastern Balochistan, with snowfall expected over the mountains. Isolated heavy falls and hailstorms are also likely during the period, while southern Punjab may see rain and thunderstorms at a few places.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and thunderstorms are expected across all major districts from Chitral and Dir in the north to Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan in the south, with snowfall over high-altitude areas and isolated hailstorms at a few places. Punjab will see rain, thunderstorms, and isolated hailstorms across Murree, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and surrounding districts, while southern Punjab districts including Multan, Bahawalpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan may receive isolated spells. Islamabad and surrounding areas are expected to remain cloudy with rain and thunderstorm activity.

Balochistan will be mostly partly cloudy, though isolated rain and thunderstorms are likely in Quetta, Ziarat, Loralai, Zhob, Khuzdar, Lasbella, and nearby areas, with a chance of heavy falls and hailstorms at isolated spots.

 Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan will see intermittent rain, thunderstorms, and mountain snowfall, with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms also possible in Kashmir. Sindh is expected to remain largely dry with partly cloudy skies.

The authorities have warned that flash flooding is likely in local streams and waterways of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and northeastern Balochistan during Tuesday. Windstorms, hailstorms, and lightning may also damage weak structures including electricity poles, billboards, and solar panels during the forecast period.

This week’s wet spell is part of a broader and more intense weather system forecast to grip the entire country from April 01 through 04.

The PMD has warned that a westerly wave approaching southwestern Balochistan on April 01 will gradually extend its reach across all provinces, bringing widespread rain, thunderstorms, hailstorms, and mountain snowfall with only occasional breaks.

Balochistan will be the first to be affected from the evening of April 01, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan from the night of April 01, while Sindh is expected to be drawn in from April 02 onward.

The extended system carries significant risk of flash flooding in northeastern Balochistan and in local streams and waterways across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from April 02 to 04, while hill torrents are anticipated in Dera Ghazi Khan.

Landslides are a serious concern in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir throughout the period. Standing crops in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh face damage from hailstorms and strong winds, and farmers are urged to take protective measures in line with prevailing conditions.

Daytime temperatures are expected to drop noticeably across the country as the system takes hold.

Tourists and travellers are strongly advised to avoid unnecessary travel during this entire period. All concerned authorities have been directed to remain vigilant and take all necessary preventive measures to avoid any untoward situation.

The weather system is expected to continue beyond April 04, and an updated advisory will be issued accordingly.

For daily weather updates, the citizens may visit the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s official website at https://www.pmd.gov.pk/en/ or download the Pak Weather application on the Google Play Store at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pmd.kissan.