The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast pre-monsoon rains across various regions beginning today (Friday), warning of potential urban flooding and damage to infrastructure in several areas.
This alert comes as the country prepares for another season of extreme weather, following recent years marked by deadly heatwaves and devastating floods.
Pakistan, ranked among the ten most climate-vulnerable nations globally, is ramping up preparedness—particularly in Punjab, where significantly above-average rainfall is expected during the monsoon season.
"Pre-monsoon rains are expected across the country from June 20 to 23, with intermittent breaks," the PMD stated in an advisory issued Thursday. "Moist currents from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea are entering upper and central regions, and a westerly wave is likely to reach the northern areas on June 20."
The PMD predicts dust storms, rain with winds, thunderstorms, isolated heavy downpours, and hailstorms in parts of Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and several districts of Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Affected cities and regions include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, Chitral, Abbottabad, and Waziristan, among others. Similar weather is forecast for parts of Sindh—including Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, and Jacobabad—from June 22 to 24.
The department cautioned that such conditions could damage vulnerable structures like electric poles, trees, vehicles, and solar panels, especially in upper and central areas, including the capital.
While the intense heat is expected to subside gradually during this period, the PMD has advised farmers to plan agricultural activities accordingly. It also warned of possible urban flooding in Lahore, Gujranwala, and the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region.
Authorities are urging residents, travelers, and tourists to remain cautious.
Above-Normal Rainfall Forecast for Punjab
Separately, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab announced that the province could receive 25% more rainfall than average this monsoon season. In some northeastern districts, rainfall could be 40% to 60% above normal.
"This forecast demands proactive and coordinated efforts to minimize risks from both urban and river flooding," the PDMA said, noting that all emergency response preparations are complete.
The provincial government has also launched an awareness campaign, distributing informational pamphlets about the dangers of flooding, heavy rain, and strong winds.
Pakistan witnessed catastrophic floods in 2022 that claimed over 1,700 lives and displaced more than 33 million people nationwide. Experts linked the disaster to climate change, as floodwaters devastated homes, farmland, and public infrastructure—causing over $35 billion in damages.