ISLAMABAD: Despite a continued heatwave gripping most parts of Pakistan, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted relief in the form of rain and thunderstorms over the next 24 hours.
High temperatures have crossed the 45°C mark in several areas, but the forecasted rain may provide much-needed respite.
In Karachi, temperatures reached 32°C on Sunday morning, with a maximum expected rise to 38°C later in the day. However, the Met Office has predicted that the city will not experience any rain, and the heat and humidity will persist, with humidity levels exceeding 75%. Health experts have advised residents to stay hydrated.
Meanwhile, Lahore and its suburbs may see light to heavy rain in the coming hours, despite a cloudy morning with lingering heat. The temperature in Lahore is expected to reach a maximum of 42°C, with humidity at 33%. Kasur and Pattoki experienced light to heavy rainfall on Sunday morning, bringing much-needed relief to residents battling the heat.
In the next 24 hours, several areas across Pakistan are expected to see rain accompanied by strong winds, including Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Swat, Malakand, and parts of Balochistan.
The Met Office has issued a warning for hailstorms in some of these regions. Areas such as Murree, Galyat, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and parts of Sindh, including Sukkur and Ghotki, are also forecasted to receive rain and strong winds.
The Met Office has also alerted about potential damage to infrastructure, including electric poles, trees, and vehicles, due to intense rain and hailstorms. For now, the extreme heat is expected to persist in most parts of Sindh and southern Punjab, but rain showers and strong winds will bring some relief to isolated regions of the province.
As the country continues to battle the heat, the PMD predicts further spells of heavy rain and thunderstorms across the country until June 16. The highest temperatures recorded so far include Jacobabad at 51°C and several other cities such as Bahawalnagar and Turbat reaching 49°C.
