PMD forecasts fresh spell of rain, thunderstorm for Karachi, Lahore, other cities

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Saturday forecast more rain and thunderstorm in Karachi, Lahore and other parts of the country in the next few days.

The Met Office predicted more rain-windstorm and thunderstorm — with isolated heavyfalls and hailstorm —during coming week as another western disturbance is likely to approach western parts of Balochistan on April 5 (evening) and likely to persist in upper parts till April 9.

Under the influence of this weather system, rain and thunderstorm (with isolated heavyfalls/hailstorm) is expected in Balochistan’s Chaghi, Dalbandin, Kharan, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Mastung, Sibbi, Kohlu, Naseerabad and Loralai from April 5 (night) to April 7 (morning) with occasional gaps. While in Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Makran Coast (Gawadar, Pasni, Ormara) Lasbella on April 6.

In Kyber Pakhtunkhwa, the PMD forecast that widespread rain and thunderstorm (snowfall over mountains) is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan from April 6 to 9 with occasional gaps. “Heavy falls/Hailstorm is also likely at scattered places on April 7 and 8.

Widespread rain and thunderstorm (with isolated heavyfalls/hailstorm) is expected Islamabad and Punjab’s various areas including Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Jhang, Noorpurthal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Pakpattan, Okara, Kasur, Sahiwal from April 6 (evening/night) to April 9 with occasional gaps.

Rain and thunderstorm (with isolated hailstorm) is expected in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan and Khanewal on April 6 and 7. Heavy falls/hailstorm is also likely in Islamabad, Pothohar region and upper districts on April 7 and 8.

In Sindh, scattered rain- windstorm/thunderstorm (with isolated heavyfalls/hailstorm) is expected in Sukkur, Kashmore, Ghotki, Jamshoro, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Larkana and Kambar Shahdadkot, while light to moderate rain-windstorm/thunderstorm (with isolated hailstorm) is expected in Dadu, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Mityari, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad khan, Tando Allahyar, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal and Karachi on April 6.

In Gilgit Baltistan, moderate rain-wind/thunderstorm (with isolated heavyfalls and snowfall over the mountains) is expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Guanche, Shigar, from April 5 (night) to April 9 with occasional gaps.

Whereas, in Kashmir, widespread rain- windstorm /thunderstorm (with few heavyfalls/hailstorm) expected in Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from April 6 to 9 with occasional gaps.

The Met Office warned that landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the period.

“Due to heavy rains, flash flood is expected in Kashmir, northeast Balochistan (Khuzdar, Kalat, Mastung, Kohlu, Zhob, Barkhan, Loralai and Sherani) and Kohe Sulaiman mountains on April 06 while in local stream and nullahs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Kurram, Orakzai, Khyber, Mohmand, Bajaur, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Malakand, Kohistan, Chitral, Buner and Abbotabad) from April 07 to 08,” it added.

The PMD said urban flooding is also expected in Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Gujranwala and Sialkot on April 7 and 08.

Windstorm/ hailstorm and lightning may damage weak structures (electric poles, bill boards, solar panels etc) during the forecast period.

Hailstorm/windstorm may damage standing crops in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. Farmers are advised to manage their crops according to the prevailing weather conditions.

Tourists and travellers are advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travelling during the forecast period. Day time temperatures are likely to decrease during the forecast period.

All concerned authorities have been advised to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.