Pakistan Braces for Monsoon’s Grand Finale: Heavy Rains and Storms on the Horizon

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a weather advisory on Wednesday, warning of impending downpours and severe weather conditions in various regions of the country as the last spell of monsoon rains approaches. Here are the key highlights:

• Monsoon Withdrawal: As the monsoon season gradually withdraws from Pakistan, a westerly wave is expected to enter the upper parts of the country on the evening or night of September 28.
• Impacted Regions: The Met department’s advisory indicated that moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, is anticipated in several areas. These include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, and regions of Kashmir, including Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur, and areas of Gilgit Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar from September 28 to 30.
• Isolated Spells: Additionally, isolated spells of rain and thunderstorms, with the possibility of hailstorms, are forecasted for Kohat, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Haripur, Kurram, Waziristan, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, and Sheikhupura between September 28 and 29.
• Wider Impact: Furthermore, Zhob, Barkhan, Layyah, Bhakkar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar are also expected to witness similar weather conditions during this period.
• Mountain Snowfall: High mountains in the upper regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to experience snowfall during this period.
• Temperature Drop: The Met Office has predicted a significant drop in temperature in the affected areas during this weather spell.
• Advisories: PMD has advised farmers to manage their crop activities diligently, considering the weather conditions. Tourists have also been cautioned to remain cautious and prepared during their travels to avoid any untoward situations.
• Safety Precautions: Members of the public are urged to stay in safe places during windstorms, lightning, and heavy downpours. Loose structures like electric poles, solar panels, billboards, and other outdoor fixtures may be at risk of damage from gusty winds.

As Pakistan gears up for this final monsoon spell, residents and authorities are urged to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to minimize the potential impact of adverse weather conditions.