Strong wind, hail and downpours are expected nationwide until March 30; streams in KP and Kashmir may overflow
Motorcyclists on a road during pre-rain dust storm in Lahore. Photo: Online
LAHORE:
The Pakistan Meteorological Department warned on Sunday that strong winds, thunder and lightning and heavy rain are likely over various parts of the country during the evening and night of March 29, with some areas at risk of flash flooding.
According to the department, districts in northern Balochistan – including Zhob, Musakhel, Sibi, Kohlu, Barkhan, Naseerabad and Loralai – face a risk of flash floods due to heavy rainfall. Similarly, local streams in upper and central Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir are at risk of overflowing from Sunday evening to Monday.
The report states that most areas of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies. Rain is expected at scattered places in KP, Upper and Central Punjab, Islamabad, Northeast Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, while isolated showers may occur in South Punjab and Sindh. Hail and strong winds in some areas can also damage weak infrastructure.
In Punjab, especially Lahore, intermittent rain during the last 24 hours has made the weather pleasant. The city is likely to experience occasional rain today, with the rainy season expected to continue till March 30.
Meteorological department added that temperatures in Lahore have dropped to moderate levels and humidity has increased, making the weather relatively pleasant for the next few days.
Read: PMD warns of thunderstorm, hail over Sindh on Saturday
Skies over Karachi are expected to remain partly cloudy to clear with occasional gusty winds likely throughout the day on Sunday.
Similarly, Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta and Umerkot may also experience above-normal winds, according to the Meteorological Department.
During the last 24 hours, parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and North Balochistan experienced rain accompanied by strong winds and thundershowers. The rest of the country remained dry, with skies varying from partly cloudy to overcast.
The Meteorological Department has advised that areas experiencing thunderstorms and heavy rain should remain cautious, especially in northern and hilly areas prone to flooding.
