ISLAMABAD: Heavy rains and strong winds hit Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and several other regions on Wednesday, disrupting daily life with flooding in low-lying areas, power outages, and traffic jams.
Weather experts say this spell of rain is expected to continue through Wednesday night and into Thursday, with more downpours and gusty winds in the forecast.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said monsoon currents are actively moving across most of the country, while a westerly system is also influencing the central and southern regions.
These conditions are likely to bring more showers and strong winds in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northeast Balochistan on Wednesday night and Thursday, though with breaks between the rainfall.
The PMD has warned of possible flash floods in local streams and drains across many areas, including Murree, Galiyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Mardan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, and parts of Balochistan such as Kohlu, Naseerabad, and Turbat.
Landslides could block roads in hilly regions like Murree, Galiyat, and Kashmir, while major cities, including Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Peshawar, may experience urban flooding due to heavy rain.
Islamabad’s highest temperature on Thursday is expected to range between 34°C and 36°C, rising slightly to 35°C–37°C on Friday.
In Rawalpindi, temperatures are forecast to stay between 33°C and 35°C on Thursday and 34°C to 36°C on Friday.
During the past 24 hours, heavy rain and strong winds were reported in several parts of Punjab, KP, Kashmir, northeast Balochistan, and even Padidan in Sindh. Gilgit-Baltistan received light showers at some locations.
Rainfall recorded (in mm):
- Punjab: Rawalpindi: Shamsabad 65, Chaklala 42, Pirwadhai 18, Kacheri 12
- Islamabad: City 63, Saidpur 62, Golra 33, Airport 25, Bokra 21
- Khanewal 51, Sahiwal 44, Murree 41, Faisalabad 36, Lahore Airport & Okara 30, Sheikhupura 28, Mandi Bahauddin 27, Mangla 24, Lahore City 23, Jhelum 18, Toba Tek Singh 13, Multan Airport 6, Gujranwala and Bahawalpur City 3, Gujrat and Kasur 2, Bahawalnagar 1
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Kakul 55, Malam Jabba 43, Dir 26, Pattan 17, Saidu Sharif 14, Takht Bhai 12, Balakot 11, Lower Dir 4
- Kashmir: Muzaffarabad 44, Kotli 23, Rawalakot 20, Garhi Dupatta 18
- Balochistan: Lasbela 4
- Sindh: Padidan 1
Meanwhile, Nokkundi and Dalbandin were the hottest spots in the country, with temperatures soaring to 45°C. Chilas recorded 42°C, while Turbat, Bahawalnagar, and Noorpur Thal each reached 41°C.
In Islamabad, the highest temperature was 35°C with humidity at 96 percent in the morning. In Rawalpindi, the temperature touched 34°C, and the humidity reached 88 percent.