Islamabad, August 15, 2023 – The plain areas of Pakistan are currently experiencing hot and humid weather on Tuesday, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The PMD has issued a forecast indicating that the plain regions of the country are likely to face high temperatures and humid conditions. In contrast, some relief might be in store for certain regions. The Upper Punjab, Pothohar region, Islamabad, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, and Kashmir are expected to witness rain, wind, and thundershowers at isolated locations.
While these areas may experience lighter rain, there is also a possibility of heavy rains occurring at isolated spots in upper Punjab, the Pothohar region, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir throughout this period. This prediction has prompted the Met office to warn about the potential for moderate to heavy rainfall, which could lead to an increase in water flows in local Nullahs streams in regions such as Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Manshera, Abbottabad, and Rawalpindi/Islamabad from August 14th to 16th.
The projected moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and their surroundings on both August 14th and 15th. There is also a concern that these wet conditions might trigger landslides in vulnerable areas like Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, and the hilly parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The PMD explained the synoptic situation leading to these weather patterns, stating that moist currents from the Arabian Sea have been penetrating into the upper parts of the country. Additionally, a westerly wave is currently present in these upper regions, contributing to the changing weather conditions.
Over the past 24 hours, the weather across the nation has generally been hot and humid. However, there have been instances of rain, wind, and thundershowers in Islamabad, the Potohar Region, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan. Isolated areas in the Potohar region and Kashmir also witnessed heavy rainfall during this period.
Rainfall measurements in millimeters were reported as follows:
• Punjab: Rawalpindi (Kacheri 68, Chaklala 67, Shamsabad 63), Islamabad (Airport 47, Zero point & Bokra 46, Golra 37, Saidpur 08), Murree 12, Attock 10, Chakwal 02
• Kashmir: Garhi Dupatta 26, Kotli 25, Rawalakot 16, Muzaffarabad (City 05 & Airport 03)
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Dir (Upper 25, Lower 18), Cherat, Kakul 10, Balakot 08, Parachinar 03, Mardan 02
• Gilgit Baltistan: Bunji 02
The highest recorded maximum temperatures for today were 47°C in Turbat and 42°C in DI Khan.
READ MORE: Thundershower Expected in Upper Punjab on August 14: Met Office Issues Warning
