ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Director General Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Mehr Sahibzad Khan, has said that the monsoon season in the country is expected to bring heavy rains and high temperatures this year.
Addressing the media, DG Met Office announced that the monsoon season will continue from June 15 to September 15. Although this season usually lasts for 3 months, there is a possibility of an early start and late end.
He further added that heavy rains are likely to occur in northeastern Punjab, Azad Kashmir, and other central and southern parts of the country. In contrast, Gilgit-Baltistan and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expected to receive less rainfall than normal, but temperatures are predicted to remain high.
On the other hand, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik said that the monsoon is likely to enter the country on June 26 or 27, three to four days earlier than usual. The NDMA also expects more rain during the monsoon season, with Punjab and Azad Kashmir likely to receive above-normal rainfall.
According to officials, Punjab usually receives 344 mm of rain during the monsoon season, but this year it may receive 388 mm of rain. Northeastern Punjab is expected to receive 50% more rainfall than normal, while southern Punjab will also experience above-normal rainfall.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is expected to receive normal or slightly above-normal rainfall, with 300 mm of rain predicted compared to the usual 243 mm. In contrast, Balochistan is likely to experience less rainfall and higher temperatures.
Officials warned that cloudbursts will be more frequent during the monsoon season, leading to local floods and overflowing of drains due to the melting of glaciers. The NDMA has urged citizens to be prepared for the monsoon season and take necessary precautions to minimize damage.
