When will the current heatwave end?

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast that the current heatwave conditions will subside by tonight, as fresh westerly winds and moisture from the Arabian Sea are expected to bring rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds to the country’s northern regions.

According to PMD, ongoing hot and dry spell will ease during this spell, particularly in upper parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The rain spell will continue until September 19.

From September 16–19, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in parts of KP including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Hangu, Karak, Kohat, and Waziristan, as per the Met office.

Similar conditions are forecast for Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Bagh, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur. In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain is expected in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar.

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In Punjab and Islamabad, rain is forecast from September 16–19 in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum, while Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Sargodha, and other central districts may see downpours on September 18–19.

The PMD has warned that heavy rains could cause flash floods, urban flooding, and landslides in hilly areas, while weak structures such as billboards, poles, and makeshift houses may be damaged by strong winds and lightning.

In contrast, Sindh and most parts of Balochistan will remain largely dry, though coastal areas may see partly cloudy skies.

Officials said the forecast marks an end to the recent heatwave, with cooler weather expected in northern and central Pakistan after September 15.

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