KARACHI / ISLAMABAD: While Karachi remained hot and humid on Monday with little chance of rain, monsoon currents triggered scattered thunderstorms and light to moderate showers across much of northern and central Pakistan, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
The capital, Islamabad, woke to misty conditions and a morning temperature of 32°C that felt closer to 39°C due to elevated humidity.
Scattered thunderstorms lashed parts of the twin cities in the morning hours, with a 40 to 52 per cent chance of rain recorded between 9am and 11am.
The Met Office put the day’s high at 37°C and the low at 25°C, warning that more thunderstorm activity is likely overnight with a 72 per cent chance of rain after 2am. Significant rainfall of 9.23 inches was forecast for Monday in Islamabad, with air quality deteriorating to “unhealthy” levels as the AQI touched 152.
The Potohar region, upper and central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir also received intermittent rain and gusty winds under the influence of a westerly wave combined with moist currents from the Arabian Sea. Lahore, Narowal, Attock and Jhelum were among the Punjab districts that saw notable rainfall over the past 24 hours, with Lahore Airport recording 49mm and Narowal 48mm.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balakot and Kakul received light showers, while Gilgit-Baltistan’s Gupis also reported rain. Kashmir’s Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad and Garhi Dupatta likewise saw thundershowers.
Meanwhile, Karachi experienced another smoky, sweltering day with the mercury reaching 35°C and “feels like” temperatures touching 37°C amid 74 per cent humidity. The city saw partly cloudy skies and sunshine through the afternoon with no rain expected, in stark contrast to the wet conditions up north. Air quality in Karachi remained moderate with an AQI of 95.
On the other hand, the PMD cautioned that isolated heavy falls and hailstorms remain possible over Islamabad, Rawalpindi, upper Punjab, KP and Kashmir during the next two days, with occasional breaks. Windstorms, lightning and urban flooding could affect vulnerable infrastructure in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore and Faisalabad. Authorities have advised farmers to safeguard crops and urged tourists to avoid unnecessary travel in mountainous areas of upper KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir due to landslide risks.
In contrast, Sindh and Balochistan largely stayed hot and dry, though dust-raising winds are expected in parts of both provinces. Nokkundi in Balochistan remained among the hottest spots in the country at 47°C.
The Met Office noted that the current monsoon phase is expected to bring below-normal rainfall to most of the country overall, except Kashmir, upper KP and Gilgit-Baltistan where above-normal precipitation is likely.
Temperatures nationwide are forecast to stay above normal through September, raising concerns over heat stress and water scarcity in parts of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.
