The city experienced hot and partly cloudy weather on Sunday, with the Met Office forecasting similar conditions over the next 24 hours.
However, officials from the department issued an alert, warning that wind, dust and thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and heavy rainfall could damage vulnerable structures such as electric poles, trees, vehicles and solar panels between Monday evening and Tuesday.
They noted that moist currents were moving into the upper and central regions of the country, while a new westerly wave is expected to enter the western and upper areas by Monday night.
Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist across most regions. However, rain, wind and thunderstorms are likely in the Potohar region, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad and northern and southeastern Balochistan during the evening and night.
Isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms may also occur in these areas.
Rainfall was reported from Narowal, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Jhang, Gujrat, Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin, Joharabad, Mangla, Jhelum, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Kotli. The highest temperature on Sunday was recorded at Nokkundi, Sakrand, Chhor and Mithi, where the mercury hit 46°C.
In Lahore, the maximum temperature was 36°C.
Meanwhile, Lahore's average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 58, with PM2.5 levels measured at 2.6 times higher than the World Health Organisation's recommended annual limit.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the administration and rescue officials to remain alert in view of the likelihood of storm and rain.
Taking notice of the low-lying areas being submerged after rain in Rawalpindi and other cities, she directed the administration and Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) officers to take immediate remedial steps and carry out field visits.
She said, "All resources should be used to ensure timely drainage of water."
She directed the authorities to take necessary steps in all cities to cope with the expected rains.
The chief minister directed the relevant authorities, including Rescue 1122, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the district administrations to intensify the rehabilitation and relief activities, besides submitting a report on the damage.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ