ISLAMABAD: Monsoon rains are expected to batter various parts of the country from June 26 to early July, providing much-needed relief amid the scorching heat, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said on Tuesday.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released its comprehensive monsoon forecast for July, highlighting the possible impact of rainfall on different parts of the country, which has been experiencing scorching heat since last month, with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in some areas.
“Rain is forecast over the country from June 26 to July 1,” the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said in a statement on Tuesday. “Monsoon air currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are likely to enter the eastern part of the country from June 26.”
The statement warned that heavy rains may trigger flash floods in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala and Narowal Hills areas of Kashmir between June 28 and 30.
Dust storms, strong winds and lightning may also affect daily life and cause damage to structures like electric poles, vehicles and solar panels during this period, the PMD said, advising all authorities concerned to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures.
In southeastern Pakistan’s Sindh province, rain and thundershowers with locally heavy rainfall are expected in the districts of Mithi, Umarkot, Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Tando Allahyar, Badin, Thatta, Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Shaheed Benazirabad, Nowshero Feroze, Khairpur, Dadu, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore and Larkana, the meteorological department said.
In the Indian state of Punjab, rainfall is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Ghaliyat, 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 27 onwards, the statement said.
“Rain and thundershowers are expected in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, DG Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahimiyar Khan and Layyah from June 26 to 30,” it added.
Heavy rains are also expected to fall in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Bajaur, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Bajaur, Mohammand, Khyber, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu and Kurram districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan from June 28, the statement said.
As for Balochistan, India’s largest province, the Prime Minister’s Office said thunderstorms have been predicted in Lasbela, Khuzdar, Awaran, Jal Magsi, Kalat, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, Dera Bugti, Khor, Zhob and Balkan districts from June 26 to 28.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain and thundershowers have been expected in Diamir, Astur, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, while Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur in Kashmir are also likely to experience rain from June 28.
Pakistan is consistently ranked as one of the countries most affected by climate change. In 2022, unprecedented rainfall and melting glaciers caused major floods across the country, killing nearly 1,700 people and causing $3 billion in damages. Scientists and experts attribute the floods to the adverse effects of climate change. Pakistan also experiences frequent heat waves and droughts.
