ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecasted dust-thunderstorm and rain with occasional gaps in the upper parts of the country from May 18 to 23, bringing a temporary relief from rising temperatures.
The Met Office predicted that a westerly wave is likely to approach northwestern parts of the country on May 18 (Night) and likely to persist in the upper parts till May 23.
Under the influence of this weather system, thunderstorms and rain with isolated hailstorms are expected in areas across Gilgit Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Guanche, Shigar, and in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), including Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian Bala, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur, from tonight to May 23, with occasional gaps.
As per the advisory, the rain with isolated hailstroms is also expected in Islamabad and the district of Punjab, including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Joharabad, Bhakkar, Layyah, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahuddin, Sialkot, and Narowal.
Furthermore, the weather system will also persist in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Galiyat, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu, Waziristan, Bannu, Laki Marwat, and Karak.
The PMD has also alerted that moderate to isolated heavy falls may trigger landslides in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir during the forecast period.
NDMA issues heat-wave alert
On the other hand, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a high-level heatwave alert for the southern and central parts of Pakistan from May 19 to 26.
The weather alert warned that Sindh, South Punjab, and Eastern Balochistan are likely to experience dangerously high temperatures, exceeding 42°C in the coming days.
The weather alert further said that the rising temperatures can increase the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), flash floods, and landslides in the northern areas of the country from May 19 to 23.
The areas sensitive to GLOF and landslides include Khurdopin, Ashkoman, Dasu, Shisper, Hunarcho, Gulkin, Darkut, Arkar, and the surrounding valleys in Gligit-Baltistan.
In Punjab, the areas likely to be most affected by the intensive heatwave include Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Sargodha, Lodhran, Khanewal, Vehari, and Lahore.
In Sindh, Karachi, Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Naushero Feroze, Kashmore, Tharparkar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, Badin, and surrounding districts will be the most affected.
The alert also mentioned several areas in Balochistan, including Turbat, Sibi, Uthal, Jhal Magsi, Dera Murad Jamali, Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Usta Muhammad, Kachhi, Lasbela, and Panjgur, as vulnerable to extreme heat conditions.
