First monsoon rain likely today

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: The first spell of monsoon rain is likely to lash different parts of the country today evening.

The rains are likely in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA, Balochistan, Sindh, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. The rain spell will persist on and off throughout the week.

The met office has also advised the authorities concerned to remain alert during the week as heavy downpours may trigger flash flooding in hilly terrain and major cities.

According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), widespread rain is likely in Balochistan on Monday and Tuesday with isolated heavy falls in Makran, Kalat, Sibbi, and Naseerabad divisions, causing flash flooding in vulnerable areas.

It further said that light to moderate rain is expected in Quetta and Zhob areas, adding that the rain system would expand to other parts of the country from Balochistan.

Synoptic Situation:

Seasonal low lies over north Balochistan with its trough extending southeastwards. Monsoon currents are penetrating over country and likely to continue during next couple of days.

A westerly wave is likely to approach western parts of the country tonight and likely to persist during next 2-3 days. Under the influence of these meteorological conditions weather will remain as following:

Next 24 hrs:

Widespread rain/dust-thundershower with isolated heavy falls accompanied by strong gusty winds is expected in Sibbi, Makran, Kalat, Nasirabad divisions, while at scattered places in Punjab (Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Multan, D.G Khan divisions), Islamabad, Sindh (Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Karachi, Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad divisions), KP (Hazara, Malakand, Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan, Bannu, D.I Khan divisions), FATA, Quetta, Zhob divisions, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during evening/night.

Next 48 hrs:

Widespread rain/dust-thundershower with isolated heavy falls accompanied by strong gusty winds is expected in Sibbi, Makran, Kalat, Nasirabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal divisions, Islamabad and Kashmir, while at scattered places in Sindh, south Punjab (Multan, Bahawalpur, D.G Khan divisions), Quetta, Zhob divisions, KP, FATA and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Past weather:

Weather remained hot and dry in most parts of the country. However, rain/dust-thundershower occurred at isolated places in Sargodha, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Malakand, Quetta divisions, Islamabad, FATA and Kashmir.

Yesterday's Highest Maximum Temperatures: Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar 46°C, Noorpurthal, Dadu 45°C.

Contingency plan ready for KPK

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has prepared a comprehensive contingency plan for upcoming monsoon for quick response to any possible disaster situation.

PDMA told APP here on Monday that a comprehensive preparedness measures have been taken and contingency plans was put in place for managing any possible disaster situation in the province during upcoming monsoon season.

The PDMA in coordination with National Disasters Management (NDMA) are actively pursuing a proactive approach to disaster management.

The nine districts including Peshawar, Nowshera, Charrsada, DI Khan, Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Dir Upper and Dir Lower have been declared most vulnerable by PDMA and it were provided additional funds by the PDMA to quickly response to the relief works.

The PDMA has acquired relief goods of 110 million, which will be distributed to the affected districts at the time of emergency.

The concerned line department and stakeholders has established control rooms for coordination with PDMA headquarter at any disaster and will provide quick support to the affected people.

The PDMA is in close touch with Pakistan Met Office for early warning mechanism for dissemination of information to vulnerable communities. – Samaa/APP