Rain, predicted thunderstorms in northern regions

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) published a meteorological opinion on Monday, warning of hot and dry persistent conditions in most regions of Pakistan from June 2 to 7.

The opinion also included an isolated rain forecast, wind storms and thunderstorms in certain regions of the north and northeast.

According to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC), high temperatures will dominate Punjab, Sindh and Balutchistan, with little relief expected throughout the week.

However, intermittent weather disorders should have an impact on certain parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Jammu-Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), potentially affecting local communities and agriculture.

In Punjab, burning and dry weather conditions should affect most areas. However, areas such as Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Lahore, Gujranwala, Siackot, Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan could feel sporadic thunderstorms, wind storms and dust storms, in particular between June 2 and 5.

Balutchistan will continue to support hot and dry conditions, districts like Quetta, Turbat, Gwadar, Khuzdar and Zhob expected to feel the heat. Likewise, the Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana and Mirpurkhas, will experience intense heat.

KP will see hot and dry conditions, although the northern regions such as Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Malakand, Abbottabad and Kurram can receive areolated showers and thunderstorms between June 2 and 6.

In GB and AJK, a partially cloudy sky with isolated rain and thunderstorms is expected in areas like Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, continuing until June 7.

The NDMA has urged all the provincial and district disaster management authorities to remain on high alert, improve emergency preparation and coordinate closely with local response units.

It is advisable to the public to limit unnecessary movements, in particular in hilly areas or prone to floods, and to obtain vulnerable infrastructures such as trees, power lines and solar panels.

Farmers were advised to take measures to protect crops standing against hailstorms and strong winds. Tourists and travelers were invited to be cautious during outdoor or mountainous activities.