LAHORE (Kashmir English): Authorities released new weather warnings on Wednesday after a brewing storm in the northeast Arabian Sea is expected to bring rain and windy conditions to Sindh, and another westerly system may lead to heavy showers over Punjab early next week.
As per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a powerful low-pressure area that previously developed off India’s Saurashtra coast has now moved into the Arabian Sea. Located around 310 kilometers southeast of Karachi, the system is predicted to intensify into a tropical depression within the next 12 hours.
Under its impact, Karachi and 11 southern Sindh districts, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Badin, and Mirpurkhas, can expect light to moderate rain along with winds of up to 55 km/h on Tuesday.
The PMD warned fishermen against venturing into the open seas until at least October 3, warning of rough to very rough sea conditions up to Thursday. Authorities also anticipate that the strong winds and lightning could cause damage to fragile structures, including mud houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels.
This alert follows one of the worst monsoon seasons in Pakistan in years. Over 1,000 have died across the country since late June, and over 4.7 million people in Punjab province alone have been hit by floods. Over 4,700 villages remain underwater, with more than 2.5 million people displaced and widespread damage to crops in cotton, rice, and sugarcane fields.
Punjab also has other flood threats in store, with the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) forecasting that a strong westerly wave will hit northern and northeastern regions, including the upper catchments of significant rivers, between October 5 and 7. The system is expected to cause heavy to very heavy rain with thunderstorms.
While present water levels at the Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages are still within normal limits, officials are cautious about flash flooding caused by unexpected rises that might flood embankments.
In Karachi, it will remain humid and partly cloudy, with daytime temperatures between 33 and–36°C. There is a chance of drizzle or light rain on and off until Friday, while hot and dry weather will persist elsewhere in Sindh, unaffected by the storm.
Sindh and Punjab provincial disaster management authorities have put local administrations on high alert, directing deputy commissioners and disaster committees to be in touch 24/7 and file daily situation reports as the new weather patterns approach.
