Key Points
- Flash floods possible in streams, nullahs and hill torrents.
- Landslides threaten mountainous areas during the forecast period.
- Hailstorm and lightning may damage vulnerable infrastructure.
- Punjab’s widespread rain could trigger heavy downpours.
- Nokkundi and Turbat recorded the highest 43°C temperature.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rain, windstorms and thunderstorms across Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and Kashmir during Wednesday night and Thursday, warning of urban flooding, flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.
According to the weather advisory issued from Islamabad on Wednesday, rain and thunderstorms are expected at most places in Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during Wednesday night, while scattered rainfall is likely in northeast Balochistan and at isolated places in upper Sindh.
Scattered heavy rainfall and hailstorms are also expected during the period, potentially affecting road travel, low-lying settlements and vulnerable infrastructure.
For Thursday, the department forecast scattered rain, windstorms and thunderstorms in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan, with isolated activity in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and northeast Balochistan.
Some areas may receive heavy rainfall and hailstorm, while southern parts of the country are expected to remain hot and humid.
Urban flooding warning
The department warned that heavy rains during Wednesday night and Thursday could cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan and Swabi.
The warning covers several major urban and densely populated areas where intense rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems and leave low-lying roads and neighbourhoods inundated.
The department also warned of possible flash floods in local streams and nullahs in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan were also identified as areas vulnerable to flooding.
Landslides feared
The advisory cautioned that landslides may occur in the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat and Kashmir during the forecast period.
The risk is particularly relevant for mountainous roads and communities located near unstable slopes, especially where heavy rainfall follows already wet conditions.
The department further warned that windstorms, hailstorms and lightning could damage weak structures and exposed infrastructure, including solar panels, electricity poles and billboards.
Thunderstorms forecast in KP
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Abbottabad, Buner, Malakand, Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kohat, Hangu, Parachinar, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan.
The department said isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms may also occur in the province.
Punjab under rain spell
Most districts of Punjab are expected to remain partly cloudy, with rain, windstorms and thunderstorms forecast in Murree, Galiyat, Jhelum, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Okara, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Sahiwal, Toba Tek Singh, Pakpattan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Khanewal, Vehari, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh and Rahim Yar Khan, among other areas.
Isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms are also possible.
Other regions
In Sindh, most districts are expected to experience hot and dry weather, while coastal areas may remain partly cloudy with isolated drizzle.
Balochistan is expected to remain hot and humid in most districts, with partly cloudy conditions along coastal areas. Rain and thunderstorms are likely in Zhob, Musakhel, Barkhan, Sherani, Dera Bugti, Kohlu and Khuzdar.
Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to remain partly cloudy with isolated rain, windstorms and thunderstorms.
Recent rainfall
During the preceding 24 hours, from 5pm Tuesday to 5pm Wednesday, most plain areas remained hot and humid, while isolated rain, windstorms and thunderstorms occurred in southern Punjab, northeast Balochistan and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Dera Ghazi Khan received the highest rainfall in Punjab at 19mm, followed by Kot Addu with 2mm and Faisalabad with 1mm.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kalam received 12mm, while Malam Jabba and Upper Dir recorded 2mm each. Drosh and Pattan received 1mm each.
Barkhan recorded 3mm and Khuzdar 1mm in Balochistan, while Gupis and Hunza received 1mm each in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Temperatures recorded
Nokkundi and Turbat recorded the country’s highest maximum temperature at 43°C, while Dalbandin, Lasbella and Bahawalnagar recorded 42°C.
The maximum temperature was 37°C in Karachi and Multan, 36°C in Faisalabad and Muzaffarabad, 35°C in Lahore and Quetta, 34°C in Peshawar and 33°C in Islamabad and Jammu.
Murree remained considerably cooler, recording a minimum of 13°C and maximum of 22°C.
PMD advised heightened caution in vulnerable areas as heavy rain, strong winds, lightning and hail could create risks for commuters, residents and exposed infrastructure.
