KARACHI: Pakistan is set to experience its first monsoon spell from June 25 to July 2, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
Deputy Director of the Met Office, Anjum Nazir Zegham, stated on Tuesday that Karachi would begin seeing cloudy weather starting from June 19, with chances of drizzle in the mornings and evenings. He attributed the current hot weather in the port city to a low-pressure system over the Arabian Sea.
The weather department further predicted rain, accompanied by strong winds, at several locations in eastern Punjab, southeastern Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir over the next 24 hours. Elsewhere, the country will experience hot weather, with extremely hot conditions in the plains.
Earlier this year, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had informed the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change that the monsoon season would begin earlier than usual, likely by June 26–27, bringing heavier-than-usual rainfall.
According to the NDMA, rainfall across the country is expected to exceed normal levels by up to 5%, with northeastern Punjab anticipating a 50% increase in rainfall compared to average levels.
The NDMA also forecasted that Punjab, which typically receives 344mm of rainfall, could see up to 388mm this year. Cities like Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, and Narowal are expected to receive up to 380mm of rain.
Similarly, rainfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is expected to rise from 243mm to nearly 300mm, with southern KP likely to receive above-normal rainfall. In contrast, northern KP and Balochistan are predicted to receive below-normal rainfall, with temperatures higher than average.
Azad Kashmir is also expected to receive increased rainfall, while the NDMA warned of the potential for flooding, particularly in glacial regions, due to rapid glacier melting. Areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, KP, and Azad Kashmir may face floods triggered by these conditions.
