Pakistan is ready to receive widespread rainfall before Monsun from 20 to 23 June, offering relief from the serious heat wave that seizes more regions, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said Wednesday.
The wet spell is expected to bring dust storms, rain winds and thunderstorms to large parts of the country, with isolated areas that are also likely to experience heavy rain and hailstorms.
PMD said unstable weather would develop due to moist streams from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, as well as a western wave that is expected to enter the upper parts of the country on June 20.
“Windstorm and lightning can cause damage to vulnerable structures such as electric poles, trees, solar panels and parked vehicles,” warned Met Office. It added that the ongoing heat wave would probably fall gradually during the expected period.
From 20 to 23 June, rain and thunderstorms are expected in upper and central Punjab, including Islamabad, Rawal Pindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Lahore, Faisalabad, Jhang, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Sargodha.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s top district-inclusive Peshawar, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Dir and Waziristan-will also experience rain and gusty wind. Similar conditions are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Murree and Galliyat.
Met Office predicted more scattered rain from June 21 to June 23 in parts of South Punjab and northeast Balochistan, especially Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur and Zhob.
From June 22 to June 24, Pre-Monsun activity is likely to reach Sindh’s upper districts such as Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu and Jacobabad.
The department warned about possible urban floods in low -lying areas of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Islamabad during heavy rainfall.
Farmers have been asked to plan agricultural activities accordingly. The public and tourists were encouraged to avoid unnecessary trips to vulnerable or flooded areas.
“All affected authorities are advised to remain vigilant and take precautions to mitigate any inappropriate situation,” PMD said.
