Further rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and hail, is anticipated across various regions of the country today (Sunday). This forecast comes a day after a significant storm impacted Punjab and adjacent areas.
On Sunday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department released a weather outlook, indicating the likelihood of thunderstorms and rain in Islamabad, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the Pothohar region, and specific parts of Punjab and Balochistan. Isolated areas might also experience heavy rainfall or hailstorms.
The Met Office also reported that over the last 24 hours, Jacobabad recorded the nation’s highest temperature at 50 degrees Celsius, closely followed by Sibi at 49°C.
Other notable high temperatures included 47°C in Dadu, Mohenjo Daro, Rohri, Larkana, and Nawabshah; 46°C in Sukkur; 45°C in Hyderabad; 44°C in Multan; 41°C in Lahore and Faisalabad; 38°C in Quetta and Peshawar; 37°C in Karachi; 36°C in Gilgit; 35°C in Islamabad; and 33°C in Muzaffarabad.
A day prior, at least 14 individuals lost their lives and 51 sustained injuries in rain-related incidents as dust storms and thunderstorms swept through various cities in Punjab.
In the federal capital, strong winds and heavy rainfall inflicted damage, with reports of hail as well. Water infiltrated homes in Abpara, and the water level in Nala Lai rose, leading authorities to declare a rain emergency in Rawalpindi.
Lahore experienced widespread power outages following a dust storm and subsequent rain. Several trees were uprooted, searchlight poles at Gaddafi Stadium toppled, and numerous booths were blown away, resulting in the cancellation of a scheduled practice session between Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators.
Chakwal also faced disruptions as the storm compelled authorities to close a section of the M-2 motorway near Kallar Kahar for several hours. Cities such as Multan, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Attock, and Sialkot endured blackouts and intense winds that displaced solar panels at multiple sites.
Rescue officials attributed the fatalities to the collapse of dilapidated structures and other storm-related accidents. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) stated that compensation would be provided to affected families in accordance with Punjab government policy.
Similar conditions were reported in KP. Peshawar was hit by a dust storm, while rain was recorded in Malakand, Abbottabad, Mardan, Charsadda, and Mansehra. In Swat, floodwaters entered homes and shops, and hailstorms caused damage to crops and orchards.
In AJK, rain impacted several areas, including Neelum Valley and Muzaffarabad. Flooding led to the closure of Sharea Neelum at Badiyan Seri.
