Islamabad, July 21, 2025 – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has officially refuted recent claims regarding a cloudburst in Chakwal, stating that no such extreme weather event took place between July 16 and 17, 2025.
The PMD issued a formal clarification following widespread media and social media reports alleging a massive cloudburst with over 423mm of rainfall in the region.
In its statement, the PMD categorically stated that the rainfall data being circulated did not meet the scientific criteria for a cloudburst, which is typically defined as rainfall exceeding 100mm within an hour over a small, localized area. According to PMD’s comprehensive monitoring system—comprising Doppler radar imagery and a rain gauge network—no such intense rainfall was recorded in Chakwal during the said period.
The official data compiled from all PMD stations in Chakwal, along with information from collaborating agencies like the Pakistan Air Force and the Agriculture Extension Department, revealed that total rainfall remained well below 150mm over a 24-hour period. PMD noted that the observed precipitation was part of a broader monsoon system and lacked the spatial intensity or temporal concentration required to qualify as a cloudburst.
The PMD further emphasized that the rainfall figures of 423mm being circulated by unverified sources are not only inaccurate but also grossly misleading. Such false attributions to cloudbursts may cause undue alarm among the public and potentially disrupt emergency response planning.
Officials reiterated that PMD operates strictly under the observational standards set by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and urged media outlets, civil authorities, and the public to consult PMD’s official platforms for weather-related information. The department stressed the importance of relying on scientifically validated data to avoid misinterpretation of normal monsoon activity as severe weather events like cloudbursts.
The PMD reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency, accuracy, and real-time dissemination of weather updates. For further information or clarification, concerned individuals and departments are encouraged to contact the National Weather Forecasting Centre in Islamabad or PMD’s regional offices across the provinces.