Karachi, July 6, 2024 – The heavens have begun to stir, as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) announced on Saturday that potent monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are infiltrating the upper and central reaches of the country.
The celestial ballet, orchestrated by nature, is set to bring both beauty and potential peril in the days ahead.
“A fresh westerly wave is affecting most upper and central parts of the country,” the PMD revealed, setting the stage for a climatic symphony that will be both awe-inspiring and formidable.
As the monsoon currents advance, the PMD has issued warnings of torrential rains that could unleash flash floods in the local nullahs and streams of Kashmir, Northeast Balochistan, and the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan from July 6th to 7th. These deluges may also lead to urban flooding in Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Narowal, and Faisalabad during the same period. Landslides, with their silent menace, may disrupt roads at vulnerable points in the hilly terrains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, the PMD added.
The PMD’s weather forecast for Sunday, July 7, 2024, paints a picture of dichotomy. While dry weather is expected in most parts of the country, rain-wind/thundershower is anticipated in South Punjab, Upper Sindh, Eastern Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, the Potohar region, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Heavy falls are also likely in isolated locales within Northeast Balochistan and Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
For Saturday, July 6, 2024, the PMD projected more rain-wind/thundershowers in Upper and Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, albeit with occasional respites. South Punjab and Northeast Balochistan are also expected to witness these meteorological phenomena during the evening and night. Heavy falls may drench isolated areas in East and South Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, and adjacent hilly regions.
The past 24 hours have already seen rain-wind/thundershowers in Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, and Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while hot and humid weather dominated the remaining parts of the country. The rainfall measurements paint a vivid picture of the skies’ offerings:
In Punjab, Gujranwala saw the heavens open with 112mm of rain at Sheranwala Bagh and varying amounts across the city. Lahore, too, experienced significant rainfall, with Tajpura SDO office recording 57mm and other parts of the city receiving substantial downpours. Islamabad had a generous share of rain, with Saidpur receiving 54mm and other regions experiencing similar showers. Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Murree, and several other cities also received copious amounts of rain, contributing to the lush, green tapestry of the landscape.
Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did not escape the monsoon’s embrace, with Kotli in Kashmir receiving 15mm of rain and Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recording 22mm.
Meanwhile, the highest temperatures recorded yesterday painted a stark contrast to the monsoon’s cool touch, with Nokundi and Dalbandin sweltering at 48°C, and Dadu and Chilas enduring 44°C.
As Pakistan stands on the cusp of this monsoon season, the blend of rain and heat, tranquility and turmoil, serves as a reminder of nature’s unbridled power and its profound impact on the human condition. The country braces itself for the duality of beauty and danger that the monsoon brings, with hope and vigilance intertwined.