Heatwave alert issued
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning that weather conditions are becoming favourable for heatwave development in the coming weeks, particularly across the plains of southern Punjab and Sindh. According to the PMD, the March-May season will be warmer than usual.
According to the department’s latest seasonal outlook, mean temperatures are expected to remain above normal in most parts of the country. The strongest warming signal is projected for northern regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where temperature departures could be more pronounced.
Rainfall Outlook and Regional Variations
Despite the warming trend, PMD forecasts near-normal to slightly above-normal rainfall for the season. Western parts of the country, especially southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, central Punjab, and northern Balochistan, may receive higher-than-average rainfall due to relatively stronger spring activity from westerly disturbances.
Meanwhile, Sindh, central and southern Balochistan, northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to record rainfall close to seasonal averages.
PMD also highlighted several likely on-ground impacts. Developing temperature gradients during spring could trigger dust storms, strong winds, and hailstorms. Additionally, major urban centres such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore may experience an early pollen peak. Rainfall after mid-March could further prolong the pollen season, affecting allergy sufferers.
Warmer conditions may accelerate pest and disease activity in Rabi crops across the plains, increasing the need for timely monitoring by farmers.
Above-normal temperatures in Gilgit-Baltistan and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may speed up snowmelt, raising the risk of glacial lake outburst floods later in the season.
