Islamabad, June 19, 2024 – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted widespread rain across various regions of the country for Thursday, June 20, 2024. According to the PMD, a mix of windstorms and thunderstorms is anticipated to bring relief from the prevailing hot and humid conditions in several areas.
In its detailed weather forecast, the PMD predicts that isolated places in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pothohar region, Punjab, and northeastern Baluchistan will experience windstorms or thunderstorms accompanied by rain. However, other parts of the country are likely to continue facing hot and humid weather.
The synoptic situation provided by the PMD highlights the penetration of weak moist currents from the Arabian Sea into central Pakistan. Additionally, a shallow westerly wave is affecting the upper regions, contributing to the expected weather changes.
For today, June 19, 2024, the PMD reports that most plain areas of Pakistan will continue to experience very hot weather. Despite this, isolated places in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pothohar region, and northeast Punjab might see windstorms and thunderstorms by evening or night.
Over the past 24 hours, the weather remained predominantly hot and dry across most parts of the country, with central and southern regions experiencing extremely high temperatures. Nonetheless, there were reports of rain, wind, and thunderstorms at isolated locations in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Pothohar region, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Rainfall measurements from these regions include 9mm in Upper Dir and 2mm in Bannu, both in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and 1mm in Jhelum, Punjab. These minor but significant showers provided some respite from the intense heat.
The highest temperatures recorded yesterday further underscore the scorching conditions, with Sibbi reaching a sweltering 48°C, Gujranwala at 47°C, and D.I. Khan (Airport), M.B. Din, and Dadu each recording 46°C.
Residents in the affected regions are advised to stay updated with the latest weather reports and take necessary precautions against the potential hazards of windstorms and thunderstorms. The expected rainfall could bring much-needed relief from the heat, but it also poses risks such as localized flooding and disruptions to daily activities.
The PMD continues to monitor the weather patterns closely and urges the public to remain vigilant. For more detailed and updated weather information, the PMD’s official channels and website remain the primary sources.
As the country prepares for the anticipated rain, it is hoped that the showers will not only cool down the temperatures but also benefit agricultural activities and water reservoirs, providing a much-needed respite from the intense summer heat.