Heatwave spell likely to subside as rain expected in parts of country

As a scorching hot weather continues to bake parts of country, the latest weather forecast by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) comes as a sigh of relief for the citizens as various areas in Punjab and upper parts of the country are expected to receive rain this week.

The expected showers starting May 28, as per the Met Office are likely to break the heat spell under the existing heatwave that has left almost the entire country sweltering.

As most of the plains in the country remain under the influence of a severe weather with mercury reaching well above 40°C in various cities, the PMD on Monday notified the likelihood of isolated wet spells in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and several cities of Punjab.

“Met office informed that a shallow westerly wave is likely to affect upper parts of the country on May 28 (evening/night),” the latest weather forecast stated.

Under the influence of this weather system:

• Dust storm or thunderstorm is expected in Balochistan’s Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Sherani and Barkhan of from May 27 till May 29.
• Duststorm or thunder storm with isolated rain is expected in KP’s Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bajaur, Mohmand, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Mardan and Kurram from the night of May 28 to June 1, with occasional gaps.
• Rain-wind or thunderstorm is expected in Gilgit-Baltista’s Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar, and Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from the night of May 28 till June 1.
• Duststorm or thunderstorm with isolated rain is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha and Mianwali the night of May 28 till June 1, with occasional gaps.

Meanwhile, Karachi and other coastal areas of Sindh, including Thatta and Badin, as well as Hyderabad are likely to receive dust storms with gusty winds on May 28 and May 29.

As per the Met Office, severe heatwave conditions are likely to subside in upper parts from tomorrow under the effect of expected rains. 

However, the intensity of weather will persist in the central and southern parts of the country, that is Punjab and Sindh, with day temperatures likely to remain 3°C to 4°C above normal.