ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of heavy showers, thunder and hailstorms in the country, following the killing of nearly 40 people in rain-related incidents across the country this month.
At least 21 people were killed in Karachi in the country’s south last week after strong winds and rain caused a wall, multiple roofs and a tree to collapse in the city, according to authorities. Another 17 people have been killed in the northwest since March 25.
On Monday, the Met Office said that a westerly wave was likely to approach southwestern parts of Balochistan on April 1 and was expected to persist till April 4, bringing rain, wind, thunder and hailstorms to parts of the country.
The weather system is likely to affect several districts in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh provinces as well as Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir regions.
“Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the period,” the PMD said. “Due to heavy rains Flash flood is expected in northeast Balochistan (Khuzdar, Awaran, Kharan, Kalat, Mastung, Kohlu, Lasbela, Zhob, Qilla Saifullah, Qilla Abullah, Sherani).”
It warned of hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan and flooding local stream and nullahs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram, Khyber, Mohmand, Bajaur, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Kohistan and Chitral districts on April 2-4.
Gusty winds, hail and lightning may damage weak structures during the forecast period, according to the advisory. They may also damage standing crops in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.
“Farmers are advised to manage their crops according to the prevailing weather conditions,” the PMD said. “Tourists and travelers are advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary traveling during the forecast period.”
Pakistan ranks among nations most vulnerable to climate change and has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns that have led to frequent heatwaves, untimely rains, storms, cyclones, floods and droughts in recent years.
In 2022, monsoon floods killed over 1,700 people, displaced another 33 million and caused over $30 billion losses, while another 1,037 people were killed in floods last year.
