• Heat wave conditions to persist in southern regions
• KP PDMA issues Glof Warning for Chitral, Dir, Swat and Kohistan
Rawalpindi / Peshawar: The wind and thunderstorms are expected to expand the northern parts of the country as of Wednesday (today), said the Department of Meteorology of Pakistan (PMD).
While people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and northern Punjab, would receive a breath of suffocating heat, high temperatures will persist in the southern half of the country.
According to a weather warning issued on Tuesday, it is likely that a western system enters northern Pakistan from today, which will persist until April 20.
Under the influence of this weather system, Rain, Wind and Thunderstorm are Experienced in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Bunner, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, Wazir, Wazir Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Murree, Galliyat, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhaanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur of April 16 20.
Isolated hail storms can also occur during the forecast period.
The weather office warned about possible landslides in mountainous areas of KP, GB, AJK, Murree and Galliyat during the forecast period.
The Advisory Added That Dust and Thunderstorms and Rain Are Expect Nareowal, Lahore, Kasur, Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh on April 16 and from April 18 to 20.
Isolated hail storms can also occur during the forecast period.
The notice added that dust storms and winding winds are expected in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Kot Addu, Muzaffarh, Bahawalpur, fine, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Pakpattan Sharif, Vehari and Okara on April 18 and 19.
The notice warned that the wind, dust storms and rays can damage loose structures such as electrical posts, trees, vehicles and solar panels, etc.
Farmers have been advised to handle their crop activities and wheat collection in view of climatic conditions.
Heat wave
The wet weather forecast followed the rain below the country in March.
Last month, the PMD issued a drought alert for Sindh, Baluchistan and Punjab due to few rains.
The average temperature during March 2025 in the lower half of the country was 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal, with consecutive dry days without rain in some areas of the southern region even greater than 200 days.
In general, the rain from September 1, 2024 to March 21, 2025 was 40 % below normal.
The dry spell created a shortage of water in the Tarbela and Mangla dams and the water that flows in different rivers was at an extremely low level.
According to PMD notice issued on Tuesday, it is likely that heat wave conditions continue in Sindh, South Punjab and Baluchistan parts until April 18.
Glof warning
The Provincial Disaster Authority of KP (PDMA) has issued a separate warning for possible flood floods of the glacial lakes (GLOF) in the lower districts of Chitral, Alto Chitral, Superior Dir, Swat and Kohistan due to the ongoing heat wave.
Glof occurs when a lake formed inside or under a glacier explodes due to the rapid melting of snow. It results in a sudden release of water, threatening the mountainous communities.
The advice sent to the attached commissioners of these districts stated that PMD warned about a higher risk of Glof in glacious areas of KP as of Wednesday (today) due to a significant increase in temperatures.
“High persistent temperatures can accelerate snow and the fusion of the glacier and subsequent weather events, which potentially triggers Glof incidents in vulnerable valleys and surrounding regions during the current and next week,” the notice said.
PMDA has asked the district administrations to take precautionary measures to avoid any loss of lives and livestock and damage to infrastructure and crops. He also asked the relevant authorities to warn local communities about the risk and guarantee the availability of emergency and rescue services personnel to occupy any emergency situation.
The notice also warned tourists to avoid unnecessary trips to these areas.
Posted in Dawn, April 16, 2025
