Another rain spell likely in last week of July: DG Met

ISLAMABAD: Director General Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Dr Ghulam Rasool on Tuesday said after three good rain spells in the current month of July, another shower is likely in last of this month.

He said this year the monsoon currents are more active in its first half as compared to second as more rains with less intensity are likely in the first two weeks of August whereas less rains are likely in the last quarter of August followed by Sept  this year. Changes in weather patterns are part of climate change which is changing Pakistan's weather, shifting summer and winter weather.

In the past, normally flash flooding was reported in September, but due to Al-Nino significant changes has been occurred in weather of this region, he said adding, last year same pattern was observed with comparatively less rains in second half of monsoon.

Replying to a query he informed that there was a need to update our existing forecasting equipment for accuracy in predictions. Currently, the PMD is working with seven radars, among which four were installed in 1990 which have almost completed their life and needed maintenance and repair.

However, he added with the financial and technical assistance of Government of Japan, two new radars has been installed in Karachi and Islamabad which would expected to be completed in six month, besides another radar to be installed in Multan.

It would bring positive change in our weather forecasting system he stated and added that better prediction of flash flooding would help relevant departments to take appropriate steps to reduce life and land losses.