Rain, dust-thunderstorm predicted in Karachi, other cities

Met Office warns heavy falls may generate flash flooding in Makran, Quetta, Zhob, DG Khan divisions

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted rain and dust-thunderstorms in Karachi and other areas of the country next week.

“Dust-thunderstorm/rain is expected at scattered places in Sindh (Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirbad, Hyderabad and Karachi divisions) on Monday and Tuesday,” said a statement issued by the Met Office on Friday.

The fresh forecast will provide a much-needed relief to the residents of the port city as they geared up to face extremely hot weather during May and June. The Karachi administration has decided to establish 118 first response heatwave management centres as part of preparations to deal with an expected hot weather in the next two months.



According to today’s forecast, a shallow westerly wave is presently affecting upper and central parts of the country. “This weather system is likely to intensify on Sunday evening and grip most parts of the country on Monday,” it added.

Under the influence of this new weather system, dust-thunderstorm and rain is expected at scattered places in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, northeast Balochistan, upper Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on Saturday.

Widespread dust-thunderstorm and rain, with few moderate to isolated heavy falls, is also expected in K-P, Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir from Monday to Wednesday. Widespread dust-thunderstorm and rain, with few moderate to isolated heavy falls, is also expected in Balochistan from Sunday evening to Tuesday, according to the weekly weather forecast.

Hailstorm is also expected at isolated places during the period, said the Met Office, warning that heavy falls may generate flash flooding in local nullah and riverine in Makran, Quetta, Zhob, DG Khan divisions on Monday and Tuesday. “Heavy rains may trigger landslides in Malakand, Hazara divisions, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on Tuesday and Wednesday,” it added.

The Met Office advised farmers to take precautionary measures during the forecast period. It also urged all authorities concerned to remain on high-alert.