Rain, thundershower likely in upper parts, Islamabad on Thursday: PMD

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms across upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), northeastern Punjab, the Pothohar region, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on Thursday while some areas may receive heavy spells during the evening and nighttime hours.

Meanwhile, most other plains of the country are likely to experience hot and humid conditions.

The weather department has cautioned that intense rainfall expected during the night of September 3 and on September 4 could lead to urban flooding in vulnerable low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sialkot.

Downpours could also cause sudden flooding in streams, nullahs and other local waterways in Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, along with parts of the Pothohar region.

The PMD has additionally warned of possible landslides in mountainous locations of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir.

Islamabad and nearby areas are expected to remain partly cloudy, with rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms likely. A few locations may experience heavier rainfall during the night.

Across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Battagram, Buner, Nowshera, Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Malakand, Mohmand, Khyber, Bajaur, Kohat, Parachinar and surrounding areas are likely to receive rain, wind and thunderstorms. A few places could see heavy showers during the evening and night.

Most districts of Punjab will continue to face hot and humid weather. However, Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Narowal, Sialkot, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat and nearby areas may experience rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy rainfall possible at night.

Sindh is also expected to remain hot and humid. Coastal areas, including Karachi, may see partly cloudy skies with a possibility of light drizzle. Similar hot and humid conditions are expected across most of Balochistan, although its coastal belt may remain partly cloudy.

Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to have partly cloudy weather accompanied by rain, strong winds and thunderstorms, while isolated heavy rainfall is possible in Kashmir.

The PMD said rain, wind and thunderstorms were recorded across Islamabad, the Pothohar region, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir over the previous 24 hours, with heavy rain reported at a few locations. Southern parts of the country continued to experience hot and humid weather.

Saidpur in Islamabad recorded the highest rainfall at 45mm, while Islamabad City received 28mm and the airport area recorded 12mm. Saidu Sharif received 35mm of rain, whereas New Kattarian in Rawalpindi recorded 13mm and Shamsabad 12mm.

Dalbandin and Nokkundi recorded the country’s highest maximum temperature at 43°C. Sibi, Bhakkar and Dadu each recorded a maximum of 41°C.

The temperatures recorded in major cities and areas were as follows: Islamabad 21-33°C, Lahore 27-36°C, Karachi 26-33°C, Peshawar 25-35°C, Quetta 20-37°C, Gilgit 19-33°C, Muzaffarabad 22-36°C, Skardu 15-26°C, Murree 14-23°C, Faisalabad 28-39°C and Multan 27-38°C.