Rainfall below average in July, August: PMD
Last spell likely to fulfill country’s needs, says Dr Ghulam Rasul
PHOTO: USMAN KHALID
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan received considerably below average rainfall during July and August this year, the director-general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) told The Express Tribune on Thursday.
The monsoon, he said, has now entered its last phase and the precipitation is likely to remain normal. Still, he warned, the weather should not be taken lightly.
He called upon the authorities concerned to remain vigilant until the end of the monsoon season.
Heavy rainfall continues to lash Lahore
Dr Ghulam Rasul, director-general of the Met Office, said: “We all need to stay alert, because of the erratic nature of the monsoon.”
Citing data compiled by his department, he said that during the month of July, Pakistan received 13 per cent below average rainfall, while in August the country received seven to eight per cent below average rainfall.
The highest rainfall, according to PMD records, was measured in Sialkot Cantt, followed by Hyderabad and Thatta, and Islamabad.
“It is expected that the last phase of the monsoon season will fulfill the (country’s) needs,” he said.
Currently, a weak seasonal low lies over northeast Balochistan. Due to this low pressure system, monsoon currents are penetrating in the country. Moreover, rains/ thunderstorms with gusty winds are expected in Punjab, Sindh and Azad Kashmir, while isolated heavy rainfall is expected in K-P, eastern Balochistan, Fata, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan.
Life came to standstill after heavy rain spell
According to Dr Rasul, considering the past pattern of monsoon, “we witnessed that most massive riverine floodings were generated in September”.
He said that despite below average rain, the main water reservoirs of Tarbela and Mangla dams touched their maximum capacity.
Furthermore, water stored in these reservoirs during the last phase of monsoon is mostly consumed in sowing wheat both by Sindh and Punjab in November, he said.
“Leaving behind insignificant amount of water to be used for drinking and other purposes,” said Rasul.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2016.
Pakistan received considerably below average rainfall during July and August this year, the director-general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) told The Express Tribune on Thursday.
The monsoon, he said, has now entered its last phase and the precipitation is likely to remain normal. Still, he warned, the weather should not be taken lightly.
He called upon the authorities concerned to remain vigilant until the end of the monsoon season.
Heavy rainfall continues to lash Lahore
Dr Ghulam Rasul, director-general of the Met Office, said: “We all need to stay alert, because of the erratic nature of the monsoon.”
Citing data compiled by his department, he said that during the month of July, Pakistan received 13 per cent below average rainfall, while in August the country received seven to eight per cent below average rainfall.
The highest rainfall, according to PMD records, was measured in Sialkot Cantt, followed by Hyderabad and Thatta, and Islamabad.
“It is expected that the last phase of the monsoon season will fulfill the (country’s) needs,” he said.
Currently, a weak seasonal low lies over northeast Balochistan. Due to this low pressure system, monsoon currents are penetrating in the country. Moreover, rains/ thunderstorms with gusty winds are expected in Punjab, Sindh and Azad Kashmir, while isolated heavy rainfall is expected in K-P, eastern Balochistan, Fata, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan.
Life came to standstill after heavy rain spell
According to Dr Rasul, considering the past pattern of monsoon, “we witnessed that most massive riverine floodings were generated in September”.
He said that despite below average rain, the main water reservoirs of Tarbela and Mangla dams touched their maximum capacity.
Furthermore, water stored in these reservoirs during the last phase of monsoon is mostly consumed in sowing wheat both by Sindh and Punjab in November, he said.
“Leaving behind insignificant amount of water to be used for drinking and other purposes,” said Rasul.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2016.