LAHORE – Heavy monsoon rains hit Lahore and parts of Punjab on Wednesday, bringing life to a standstill by causing urban flooding, massive traffic jams and power shutdowns.
Lahore was presenting pictures of lakes and ponds even hours after the stoppage of rain. Experts have predicted the wet spell to continue intermittently on Wednesday evening/night and Thursday.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a well-marked low-pressure area (LPA) lies over eastern/northeastern Punjab (Pakistan). A westerly wave is also present over the upper parts of the country. Due to this weather system, strong monsoon currents are affecting most central and upper parts and are likely to persist during the next 24 to 36 hours.
Under these conditions, more widespread monsoon rains are expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Taunsa, D.G. Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Kot Addu and Layyah on Wednesday evening/night and Thursday.
Heavy and at times hefty falls are likely in northeast/central Punjab, Pothohar region, Murree, Galiyat, Multan, Khanewal, Dera Ghazi Khan and Kot Addu. Hefty rains may generate flash floods in local nullahs/streams/hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, northeast/upper Punjab, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree and Galiyat.
Landslides/mudslides may cause road closures in the vulnerable areas of Murree and Galiyat. Downpour may cause urban flooding in Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Kot Addu, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur and Islamabad/Rawalpindi. Windstorms may damage electric poles, trees, vehicles, solar panels and standing crops.
Lahore’s maximum temperature is expected to remain between 31°C and 33°C on Thursday and between 33°C and 35°C on Friday.
Meanwhile, rains with heavy falls occurred in Lahore and parts of Punjab during the last 24 hours.
Rainfall (mm): Sheikhupura 217, Okara 170, Lahore (Airport 123, City 72), Hafizabad, Bahawalnagar 90, Kasur 85, Sahiwal 60, Gujranwala 50, Faisalabad 44, Mandi Bahauddin 32, Jhelum 29, Sialkot (Airport 28, City 27), Chakwal 24, Rawalpindi (Chaklala 23, Shamsabad 19, Katcheri 14, Pirwidahi 12), Bhakkar 19, Islamabad ((Zero Point 19, Bokra 16, Saidpur, Golra 15, Airport 10), Mangla, Narowal 16, Murree 15, Attock 11, Multan (Airport 07, City 05), Gujrat, Khanewal 04, Layyah, Jhang 03, Sargodha, Joharabad, Toba Tek Singh, Kot Addu 02, Noor Pur Thal 01
In Lahore, the maximum temperature was recorded at 32°C. Relative humidity in the morning was recorded at 92 per cent.
Islamabad, Pakistan weather: More widespread rains likely till July 17
