Punjab on high alert as PDMA warns of thunderstorm, strong winds and possible hail amid widespread rain
Residents wade through a flooded road after monsoon rains and rising water levels in Qadirabad village near the Chenab river in Punjab province, Pakistan August 28, 2025. Photo: Reuters
LAHORE:
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Saturday issued a warning for thunderstorm, rain and possible hailstorm in several districts during the last 24 hours.
Rain is expected in most parts of the province including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Bhakkar, Layyah, Faisalabad, Jhang, Okara, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sargodha, Mianwali, Sheikhupura, Khuswalzi, Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Bahawalgar, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Kot Addu and Mandi Bahauddin.
Lahore, Sialkot and Narowal are also expected to receive rainfall as weather activity continues over central and north Punjab.
The director general of PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said that commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province had been put on alert. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) in Lahore has also directed operational personnel to remain in the field in view of possible urban flooding and rainfall-related disturbances.
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Residents have been advised to stay in safe places during thunderstorms and avoid open areas during periods of thunder and strong winds. The PDMA has also called for precautionary measures during dust storms, while farmers have been advised to adjust farming activities according to weather conditions. Tourists traveling to northern areas have been asked to be cautious due to erratic weather patterns.
The warning follows significant rainfall recorded across Punjab in the previous 24 hours. Joharabad received the highest rainfall with 72 mm, followed by Hafizabad with 44 mm and Noorpur Thal with 43 mm. Kasur and Sheikhupura recorded 22mm each while Gujranwala got 16mm. Sargodha recorded 13mm, Jhang 12mm, Attock 11mm, Bhakkar 8mm, Chakwal 7mm and Okara 5mm.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said a seasonal low pressure system is continuing over northern Balochistan and adjoining regions, while a westerly wave continues to affect the upper parts of the country. Moist currents from the Arabian Sea also penetrate the central and upper regions, contributing to unstable weather conditions.
Authorities have predicted mostly warm and dry weather for large parts of the country over the weekend. However, isolated rain and thundershowers are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir along with adjoining hilly areas on Saturday and Sunday.
In a tourism-focused advisory, the PMD warned that rain, strong winds and thunderstorms, along with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms, are expected on Sunday in several popular northern destinations, including Murree, Galliyat, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Swat, Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Kaghan Valley, Natral and Dirran Valley.
It added that while many tourist spots may remain partly cloudy, intermittent rain and thundershowers are likely to continue from Monday to Thursday in hill stations like Kaghan, Naran and Kalam, potentially disrupting travel and outdoor activities.
In contrast, dry and stable conditions are expected to continue in Ziarat and surrounding areas over the coming days, making it a relatively more predictable destination for travelers.
In Lahore, the weather remained partly cloudy on Saturday with intervals of sunshine and a chance of rain later in the day. The city’s temperature was recorded at 27°C, with a maximum expected near 33°C. The humidity was 64%, while winds of 11 kilometers per hour were recorded.
