Weathermen predict rains during Eid holidays

From today, temperatures in most parts of the country will fluctuate between 40-50°C

ISLAMABAD: After sizzling in the intense heat of May weather, Pakistan is likely to get wetter before it gets better in the second half of June.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that intense heat is likely to prevail across the country including northern areas in the first half of June and temperatures may increase further two to three degrees in the upcoming week.

However, by the end of the second week of June, pre-monsoon will begin in the country which will bring down the temperature two to four degrees, according to the PMD.

Meanwhile, mercury in most parts of the country will fluctuate between 40 to 50 degrees Celsius and above from June 3 (today) to June 10.

Met office spokesperson Khalid Mahmood Malik told The Express Tribune on Saturday that mercury was expected to rise two to three degrees further across the country in the upcoming week, adding that twin cities would also see rise in temperature to 44 degrees Celsius.

“This year Pakistan is experiencing hottest summer as compared to previous years as temperature remained two to three degrees higher than normal,” he highlighted.

This May, the highest temperature in Pakistan was 51 degrees Celsius in Mohenjo Daro, Jacobabad, Dadu and Turbat followed by 50 degrees Celsius in Larkana, Sukkur and other areas.

Moreover, Karachi’s temperature rose to 46 degrees Celsius equaling what was recorded in the city in May 1981.

“However, chances are high that pre-monsoon season will begin by the end of the second week of June [from June 10 onwards] and the country will have two to three spells of good showers in the month which will bring respite from the intense heat,” said Malik.

“It is expected that it will rain during last few days of the holy month of Ramzan as the entire month has gone hot and dry so far. Chances are that it may rain in most parts of the country during Eid holidays,” he added.

The spokesperson said this year half of Pakistan, from southern parts, experienced slightly higher temperatures than normal, as compared to the remaining half of the country.

“Therefore, due to this difference in temperatures, it is expected that the country will have good pre-monsoon rain after mid of June,” he said.

According to Malik, it is also expected that pre-monsoon showers in the catchment areas will help improve water level in the two major water reservoirs of the country, namely Mangla and Terbela dam, which have already reached the dead level.