Met Office forecasts light rain with dust storm in Karachi

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast light to moderate rain accompanied by dust storms and lightning in various parts of the country, including Karachi, between Sunday evening and Tuesday afternoon as a result of a shallow westerly wave that is presently affecting the upper and central parts of the country.

“This weather system is likely to intensify on Sunday [evening or night] and grip most parts of the country on Monday. Under the influence of this weather system, dust storms and thunderstorms are expected at scattered places in Sindh on Monday and Tuesday,” an official of the Met Office said. He added that Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad and Karachi divisions are likely to be affected by the system.

Met Office Karachi Director Sardar Sarfraz said there were chances of light to moderate rain in Karachi but a more accurate forecast would be made on Sunday (tomorrow) evening. An advisory issued by the PMD on Friday said under the influence of the westerly system, dust storms and rain are expected at scattered places in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, north-east Balochistan, upper Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on Saturday (today).

The PMD further forecast that widespread dust storms and thunderstorms are expected in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir from Monday to Wednesday, while dust storms and thunderstorms are also expected in Balochistan from Sunday evening to Tuesday, especially on the coastal belt of the province.

PMD officials said hailstorms are also expected at isolated places during the period. They warned that heavy falls may generate flash flooding in local drains in Makran, Quetta, Zhob and DG Khan divisions on Monday and Tuesday.

The Met Office also warned that heavy rains may trigger landslides in Malakand and Hazara divisions, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on Tuesday and Wednesday. The farmers have been advised to take precautionary measures during the period of the forecast.