Heatwave grips Lahore as Punjab braces for fourth monsoon spell

PDMA forecasts rain, thunderstorms for Rawalpindi, Murree, Faisalabad, parts of Southern Punjab

A heatwave and rising humidity have intensified across Lahore and much of Punjab, with dry conditions persisting in most areas.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast a maximum temperature of 34°C and a minimum of 27°C for Lahore as the city experiences elevated temperatures.

Although a new monsoon system is expected to enter Pakistan today, Lahore is unlikely to see significant rainfall in immediate days.

The fourth monsoon spell is anticipated to be stronger than previous ones and will bring thundershowers, wind, and rain to various regions, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and parts of southern Punjab.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert for the risk of heavy rainfall and flooding from July 20 to 25, urging local authorities to remain vigilant.

River levels in the Ravi, Jhelum, Sutlej, and Chenab are expected to rise, and medium-level flooding is already being reported in the Indus River.

To manage the potential impact, provincial agencies such as WASA, LWMC, and local municipalities have mobilised emergency measures to handle flood risks, and authorities have enforced Section 144 around rivers and streams to ensure public safety.

Other parts of the country, including Kashmir, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, North-East Punjab, the Potohar region, Gilgit-Baltistan, North-East and South Balochistan, and South Sindh, are expected to experience rain, wind, and thundershowers over the next twelve hours.

In contrast, hot and humid weather will continue to dominate in the rest of the country.

Temperatures this morning were recorded in major cities as follows: Islamabad at 28°C, Lahore and Karachi both at 29°C, Peshawar at 30°C, Quetta at 22°C, Gilgit at 24°C, Murree at 17°C, and Muzaffarabad at 25°C.

The PDMA has urged the public to stay updated with weather forecasts and follow safety protocols, particularly in flood-prone areas, as rainfall and river rises could pose significant flood risks over the next few days.