Several Pakistani cities to face thunderstorms, heavy rains after monsoon

ISLAMABAD: Several cities of Punjab are likely to experience severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail and cloud-to-ground lightning over the next 12 hours, Pakistan TV Digital learnt. 

The Pakistan Meteorological Department and Weatherwalay warn that Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal, Jhelum and surrounding areas will experience these intense weather events.

"There is a more than 70 percent probability of this weather advisory, which may persist until Tuesday afternoon," said Danish Baig, head of the meteorology section at Weatherwalay.  

“The ongoing spell emanates from a cold westerly wave interacting with a warm front or cyclonic circulation over northeast Punjab,” he said.

Wind speeds could reach up to 70 kilometers per hour, he added.

Irfan Virk, Director of Pakistan Meteorological Department, said the current weather phenomenon should not be confused with the monsoon season, which has already ended. 

"These unstable conditions could continue for the next 24 hours," he added.

The department also noted that crops, particularly corn and millet, currently being harvested across Punjab, are vulnerable to damage from strong winds, which can break stems and reduce yields.

Meanwhile, rainfall has set new records in South Punjab. Multan Airport recorded 49.4 millimeters of rain in 24 hours, surpassing the previous record of 23.5 millimetres in October 1997. Bahawalpur City received 44.2 millimeters, breaking the earlier record of 30 millimeters from Oct. 4, 1997.

“These new figures highlight the intensity of the ongoing rain spell and mark a significant weather event for South Punjab after more than two decades,” Weatherwalay reported.

Past storms 

A similar thunderstorm struck Lahore last week, disrupting flight operations. 

Heavy rain in Islamabad also forced the cancellation of several domestic and international flights. 

A passenger bound to Lahore from Riyadh said the aircraft circled for about 30 minutes before being redirected to land in Multan due to poor visibility. 

Earlier in July, an intense hailstorm and heavy rainfall battered Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, and surrounding areas, damaging several vehicles and shattering house windows. 

Footage shared on social media showed hailstones pelting down across the city, with residents posting videos of smashed car windshields.