A strong westerly system brought rain and a dust storm to different parts of Karachi on Monday night, just days before the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) earlier today forecasted more rain and thunderstorms in the port city and other parts of the country from Tuesday (tomorrow) to Friday.
According to the details, rain and gusty winds were reported in several areas of the city, including Nazimabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Rashid Minhas Road, and Malir.
Winds gusted to 32 kilometres per hour in the city, according to the weather service. The weatherman predicted light rain in the city tonight.
According to the Met Office, a strong westerly wave is expected to enter Pakistan on Tuesday and grip most of the country until Wednesday.
From March 21 to 23, scattered rain-wind-dust and thunderstorms with isolated hailstorms are expected in Sindh, including Karachi, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Hyderabad, Sanghar, Mithi, Thatta, Badin, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, and Dadu.
Under the influence of this weather system, widespread rain-wind and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are expected in various parts of Balochistan including Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Khuzdar, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, Dera Bugti, Barkhan, Harnai, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Saifullah, Qillah Abdullah, Dalbandin, Nokkundi, Panjgur, Kalat, Gwadar, Lasbella and Makran coast from tomorrow evening to March 24.
During the period, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Haripur, Karak, Peshawar, Kohat, Charsada, Nowshera, Swabi, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Mohmand, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan should expect widespread rain-wind and thundershowers with scattered heavy falls (isolated hailstorms).
In Kashmir, widespread rain-wind and thunderstorms are expected, with scattered heavy falls and hailstorms in areas such as Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur. During the period, isolated rain-wind and thunderstorms are expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar.
In Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Toba Tek Singh, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Khushab, Mianwali, Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar,
According to the PMD, the potential impacts of this weather system include strong winds and hailstorms, which could damage the country’s loose infrastructure and standing crops.
On March 22 and 23, heavy rains may cause flash floods in Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kalat, Khuzdar, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, Kohlu, Zhob, Sibbi, Turbat, Awaran, Panjgur, and the Hill torrents of DG Khan.
Landslides are possible in hilly areas of KP, Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, and Galliyat during the forecast period, according to the meteorological department, and the day temperature is expected to drop significantly.
The PMD also advised tourists to be more cautious during the forecast period, and all authorities involved to remain “alert” in order to avoid any untoward situations.
