The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms across several parts of Pakistan on September 16 and 17.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast further rain, wind and thundershowers across several parts of Pakistan on Wednesday and Thursday, with isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms also expected.
The weather system is likely to affect Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Punjab, Islamabad and northeast Balochistan, according to the latest PMD forecast.
Rain and thunderstorms expected on Wednesday
On Wednesday evening and night, rain, wind and thundershowers are expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Punjab, Islamabad and northeast Balochistan.
The PMD has warned that isolated areas may experience heavy rainfall and hailstorms during the period.
Other plain areas of the country are expected to remain partly cloudy.
Rain to continue on Thursday
The unsettled weather is likely to persist on Thursday, with rain, wind and thundershowers forecast across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Punjab, Islamabad and northeast Balochistan.
The department has again warned of isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms, while other plain areas are likely to remain partly cloudy.
Urban flooding and flash floods feared
The PMD has warned that heavy rainfall on September 16 and 17 could cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Lahore.
Heavy rain may also trigger flash floods in local streams and nullahs in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Possible flooding has also been forecast in hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan.
Landslides and storm damage possible
The weather department has warned of possible landslides in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir during the forecast period.
Strong winds, hailstorms and lightning could also damage vulnerable structures, including solar panels, electric poles and billboards.
Residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to take precautions during periods of heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms.
Weather system affecting Pakistan
According to the PMD, a westerly wave is affecting the upper and central parts of the country, while monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea are penetrating into central parts of Pakistan.
The combination of these weather systems is contributing to the expected rainfall and thunderstorms in several regions.
Rainfall recorded during the past 24 hours
Scattered rain, wind and thundershowers were recorded in upper and southern Punjab and Islamabad during the past 24 hours, while isolated rainfall occurred in Kashmir and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Isolated heavy rainfall was also reported.
In Punjab, Okara received 50mm of rain, Faisalabad 26mm and Joharabad 23mm. Islamabad recorded 23mm at the airport, while Bokra received 10mm, Saidpur 9mm, Golra 8mm and Zeropoint 7mm.
Attock received 20mm, Dera Ghazi Khan 19mm and Rawalpindi’s Chaklala Airport 17mm. Gawalmandi received 11mm, Pirwidahi 10mm, Katcheri and New Kattarian 8mm each, and Shamsabad 6mm.
Chakwal received 10mm, Mangla 8mm, Jhelum 3mm and Kot Addu 2mm. Gujranwala, Murree and Mandi Bahauddin each recorded 1mm.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Upper Dir received 38mm, Malam Jabba 8mm, Pattan 4mm and Kalam 1mm. Kotli in Kashmir recorded 4mm.
Despite the rainfall, hot and humid conditions persisted in other plain areas of the country.
Highest temperatures recorded
The highest maximum temperature recorded during the previous day was 44°C in Dadu, Nokkundi and Lasbella.
Dalbandin and Turbat recorded maximum temperatures of 43°C.