Rain-wind, thundershower expected in upper parts of country: PMD

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms across Islamabad, the Pothohar region, upper Punjab, upper and central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan on Thursday, with intense rainfall expected in several areas.

According to the weather advisory released by the Met Office on Wednesday, most other parts of the country are likely to remain hot and humid.

The department cautioned that heavy rainfall expected during the night and on August 20 could lead to urban flooding in vulnerable low-lying areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore.

It further warned that intense downpours could cause flash floods in local streams and nullahs across Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The possibility of landslides has also been highlighted for mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir during the forecast period.

Islamabad and its surrounding areas are expected to remain partly cloudy to overcast, with rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms. Some locations may receive heavy rainfall.

In KP, rain and thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds are likely in Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Peshawar, Hangu, Orakzai, Karak, Kurram, Kohat and Waziristan.

Heavy rain is particularly expected in Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera and Peshawar, while the remaining parts of the province are likely to experience hot and humid conditions.

Punjab is also expected to receive rain, wind and thunderstorms in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Gujrat, Jhelum, Mangla, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura and Okara. Heavy rainfall is forecast for the Pothohar belt, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore and Sheikhupura.

During the evening and nighttime, similar weather activity may extend to Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Khushab, Chiniot, Faisalabad and Dera Ghazi Khan. The rest of Punjab is expected to remain hot and humid.

Most districts of Sindh are likely to continue experiencing hot and humid weather, although partly cloudy conditions are expected over the southern areas.

In Balochistan, hot and humid conditions are forecast across most districts, while Barkhan, Zhob, Musakhel and Khuzdar may receive rain and thunderstorms during the evening and night.

Kashmir is expected to experience partly cloudy skies with rain, strong winds and thunderstorms, with heavy rainfall possible at some locations. Gilgit-Baltistan is also likely to remain partly cloudy with rain and thunderstorms.

Over the past 24 hours, widespread rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms was reported in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Scattered rainfall was also recorded across the Pothohar region, northeastern Punjab, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir. Several areas received heavy showers, while hot and humid conditions continued elsewhere in the country.

Rawalpindi recorded the highest rainfall in Punjab, with 147 millimetres measured at Katcheri, followed by 127mm at Shamsabad, 123mm at Pirwadhai, and 121mm each at Chaklala Airport and New Kattarian. Gawalmandi received 115mm.

In Islamabad, 104mm of rain was recorded at Bokra, 100mm at Golra, 99mm at Zero Point, 95mm at Saidpur and 2mm at the Airport.

Jhelum received 65mm, while Lahore Airport recorded 55mm. Gujranwala received 39mm, Narowal 36mm, Mandi Bahauddin 30mm, Gujrat 23mm, Attock 9mm, Sialkot City 8mm, Sialkot Airport 2mm and Murree 8mm.

In KP, rainfall totals included 22mm at Takht Bai, 4mm at Parachinar, 3mm at Balakot and 1mm at Malam Jabba.

The highest daytime temperatures were recorded at Nokkundi, where the mercury reached 46°C. Dalbandin recorded 45°C, while Sibbi, Dadu and Chilas each registered 43°C.

The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in major cities were 22°C and 29°C in Islamabad, 26°C and 34°C in Lahore, 27°C and 32°C in Karachi, 26°C and 34°C in Peshawar, 23°C and 38°C in Quetta, 21°C and 38°C in Gilgit, 25°C and 34°C in Muzaffarabad, 17°C and 35°C in Skardu, and 15°C and 22°C in Murree.

Faisalabad recorded 29°C and 38°C, Multan 29°C and 38°C, Srinagar 20°C and 32°C, Jammu 25°C and 27°C, Leh 13°C and 27°C, Pulwama 22°C and 31°C, Anantnag 20°C and 30°C, Shopian 21°C and 31°C, while Baramulla recorded 22°C and 30°C.