Met Office Alerts Rescue Agencies to Stay Vigilant
The Meteorological Department has issued a forecast for significant monsoon rains from August 14 to 18, with the heaviest rainfall expected on Independence Day.
In light of these severe weather conditions, the department has warned rescue agencies to remain alert.
According to the advisory, the combination of monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, along with westerly air currents, is likely to intensify and impact various regions across the country. The incoming weather system is anticipated to bring rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms.
Regional Forecast:
- Punjab: Heavy rain, gusty winds, and thunderstorms are expected in major cities such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sialkot. Areas including Murry, Galatia, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Talagang, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, and Gujranwala are likely to experience severe weather.
- Central Punjab: Significant rainfall with strong winds is forecasted for Sheikhupura, Narowal, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, Khushab, and Sargodha.
- Southern Punjab: Thundershowers accompanied by strong winds are expected in districts including Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Khanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rajanpur, Rahimyar Khan, and Leh.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: From August 14 to 18, areas like Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Bajaur, Shangla, Buner, Kohat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Haripur will experience strong winds and thundershowers. Scattered thundershowers and strong winds are also expected in Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Hangu, Karam, Orakzai, Waziristan, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan.
- Balochistan: Coastal regions such as Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Kalat, Zhob, Barkhan, Musa Khel, Mastung, Shirani, Kohlu, Bolan, Harnai, Nasirabad, Jafarabad, and Makran will face strong winds and scattered thundershowers from the evening of August 15 through August 18.
- Sindh: Strong winds and thundershowers are predicted in Mithi, Sanghar, Matiari, Umarkot, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, and Dadu from August 15 to 18. Coastal areas are expected to remain cloudy with light rain.
- Gilgit-Baltistan: Intermittent rain with strong winds is forecasted for Diamer, Astor, Skardu, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shagar during August 15 to 18. There is an elevated risk of landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir due to the anticipated rainfall.
The Meteorological Department advises the public to stay updated on weather developments and take necessary precautions for safety during this adverse weather period.
