Islamabad, August 14, 2024 – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather forecast for Thursday, August 15, 2024, predicting thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across many regions of the country.
The report indicates that rain-windstorm/thundershower, accompanied by a few heavy downpours, is expected in Kashmir, Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eastern Balochistan, and lower Sindh during the day.
The PMD also provided a weather summary for Wednesday, August 14, 2024, noting that similar rain-windstorm/thundershower activity occurred in Kashmir, northeastern and southern Punjab, the Potohar Region, Islamabad, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, southeastern Sindh, and eastern Balochistan. Isolated heavy rainfall was recorded in these areas, causing localized disruptions.
In a cautionary note, the PMD has warned that the ongoing torrential rains may lead to flash flooding in various regions. Areas particularly at risk include the local nullahs and streams of Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar, Buner, Saidu Sharif, Mansehra, Kohistan, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Balakot, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Northeast Punjab, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir. The risk is expected to persist until August 17, 2024.
The PMD further cautioned that heavy downpours might cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of major cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, and Peshawar. Additionally, landslides are a significant concern in the hilly terrains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir, with potential road closures in these vulnerable areas during the wet spell.
Regarding the synoptic situation, the PMD reported that a low-pressure system is present in southeast Sindh at the lower tropospheric level. Monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are actively penetrating the upper and central parts of the country, while a westerly wave is likely to enter the upper regions from today, further intensifying the weather activity.
In the past 24 hours, hot and humid conditions prevailed across most parts of the country, with isolated rain-wind/thunderstorm activity occurring in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northeast Punjab. Rainfall recorded in millimeters (mm) included Kakul (17 mm), Lahore Airport (5 mm), Kasur (3 mm), and Sialkot (1 mm).
The highest maximum temperatures recorded today were in Nokkundi (48°C), Dalbandin (46°C), and Sibbi (44°C), reflecting the extreme heat experienced in these areas.
Citizens are advised to stay updated with the latest weather alerts and take necessary precautions during this period of intense weather activity.
