PMD confirms record rainfall in monsoon

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has confirmed record-breaking rainfall and temperature fluctuations in Punjab and across the country during the 2024 monsoon season.

The PMD revealed in a detailed report the country witnessed 51 per cent more rainfall than the average between July 1 and August 30 this year, with some regions experiencing an unprecedented deluge and others recording higher-than-usual temperatures.

The 2024 monsoon season brought heavier rains across Pakistan, with Balochistan and Sindh recording the most significant increases. Balochistan received a staggering 111 per cent more rainfall than normal, while Sindh experienced 108 per cent more rainfall.

Punjab also saw a 48 per cent increase, while Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan recorded smaller increments of five per cent and two per cent above normal, respectively.

However, Azad Jammu and Kashmir saw a 21 per cent decrease in rainfall compared to the average.

The normal monsoon rainfall in Pakistan averages around 212mm, but this year's totals far exceeded expectations.

Lahore recorded 951.1mm of rain throughout the season, with 603mm falling during August.

On August 1, the Lahore airport experienced 337mm of rainfall in a day, marking the highest single-day rainfall in the country's history.