NDMA warns of rising temperatures across Pakistan from May 18

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority has forecast a gradual increase in temperatures across Pakistan from May 18, while also predicting scattered rain and storm activity in several parts of the country over the coming days.

In a weather advisory issued on Friday, the NDMA’s National Emergency Operation Centre said parts of Punjab are likely to receive scattered rainfall, thunderstorms, windstorms and isolated hailstorms from May 19 to 22. The advisory named Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Multan, Sahiwal, Okara, Sialkot, Kasur and Lahore, along with nearby areas, among the districts expected to be affected.

The authority said temperatures in Punjab are also expected to continue climbing until May 23.

Hot and dry conditions in Sindh

According to the advisory, Sindh is expected to remain largely hot and dry between May 18 and 23, with temperatures forecast to rise steadily across the province during that period.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, isolated rainfall, thunderstorms, windstorms and isolated hailstorms are expected in Chitral, Dir, Mingora, Batkhela, Thal, Karak, Bannu, Mansehra, Abbotabad, Swat, Peshawar and Landi Kotal, as well as surrounding areas. The NDMA said temperatures are also likely to increase gradually across the province.

Rain forecast for parts of Balochistan

For Balochistan, the NEOC said scattered rainfall, thunderstorms, windstorms and isolated hailstorms are likely from May 19 to 22 in Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Chaman, Khuzdar and adjoining areas.

The province is expected to remain mainly hot and dry. Temperature will also steadily rise throughout the province, the NEOC said.

In Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the advisory said isolated rainfall, thunderstorms, windstorms and isolated hailstorms are expected in Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Bhimber, Kotli, Bagh, Garhi Duppatta and Kahuta, along with surrounding areas.

The NDMA said temperatures are also expected to rise steadily across these regions during the same period.

The latest advisory points to a mixed weather pattern in which several areas may see brief spells of rain and storm activity, even as temperatures continue to trend upward nationwide.