Monsoon rains may lash parts of country from tomorrow

News Desk

KARACHI:  The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast that monsoon rains will start from tomorrow evening and last till July 8 throughout the country.

“The warm weather could persist as the monsoon period has started from July 1 and will continue by the end of September, but less rains would be expected during this season this year,” Chief meteorologist at the PMD Dr Sardar Sarfaraz said while talking to Newstaj.

He quoted the seasonal report of June, July and August as saying that the climatic conditions indicate below normal rainfall for most parts of the country. A couple of areas in northern parts of the country may receive slightly above normal rainfall, while western parts of Balochistan, including the coastal belt, may experience near normal rainfall during the forecast season.

Seasonal average temperatures will mostly fall within the normal to higher than normal range. However, towards the season’s end, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and Balochistan could see a temperature rise.

According to the report, soaring temperatures in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir may accelerate snowmelt, while increasing the river flow. The upcoming season is expected to dominate with low rainfall and increasing temperature resulting in a gradual reduction in soil moisture in agricultural plains. Additional irrigation will be needed for Kharif crops and vegetables, particularly in the southern half of the country.

Satellite image by the PMD

The PMD has predicted that moist currents from Arabian sea are likely to penetrate in upper parts of the country and a westerly wave is also likely to enter in the upper parts of the country at tomorrow evening or night.

Under the influence of these weather systems, rain or wind-thunder shower with few heavy falls or hailstorm is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbotabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Mianwali, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwal, Gujrat, Shekhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh from July 3 to 8 with occasional gaps.

Rain or wind-thunder shower with isolated heavy falls is also expected in Barkhan, Loralai, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Kalat, Khuzdar, Zhob, Lasbella, Awaran, Musakhel, D.I.Khan, Bannu, Karak, Waziristan, D.G.Khan, Rajanpur, Multan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sahiwal and Okara from July 5 to 8.

Moreover, When it comes to the weather update about Sindh, rain or wind-thunder shower with isolated heavy falls is also expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Ghotki, Shaheed Benazirabad, Larkana, Mithi, Chhor, Padidan, Nagarparkar, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Sanghar, Mirpur Khas, Dadu, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad and Karachi for two days from July 7 to 8.

The PMD has categorically advised all authorities concerned to stay alert and take all necessary precautionary measures during the forecast period.

It has also given impacts and pieces of advice that heavy rain may cause urban flooding in low lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore and might trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Murree, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from July 4 to 7.

“Heavy falls could cause flash flood in hill torrent areas of D.G. Khan and adjoining areas of northeast Balochistan from July 6 to 8. Growers are advised to manage their agricultural works keeping in view the weather forecast. Tourists are advised to remain extra cautions to avoid any untoward situation during the wet spell. Loose structures like electric poles, solar panels and the like may be damaged during dust storm or wind-thunder storm and heavy falls. Meanwhile, people are also suggested to stay at safe places during the period,” it said.

Keeping in view of the rapid changes in climate system dynamics, the outlook is updated during the last week of each month, it further said.