PMD Predicts Heavy Rains in Punjab Between October 5–7

Authorities in Pakistan issued new weather alerts on Wednesday as two different weather systems are developing. One of them is a storm building up in the northeast Arabian Sea, which could bring rainfall and strong winds to Sindh. At the same time, a separate westerly weather system is approaching and may cause heavy rainfall across Punjab early next week.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a strong low-pressure system that first formed near India’s Saurashtra coast has now moved into the Arabian Sea. The system is currently located about 310 kilometers southeast of Karachi and is expected to become a tropical depression within the next 12 hours. Once that happens, it may gain more strength and spread its impact to several coastal areas of Pakistan.

Because of this system, Karachi and at least 11 districts in southern Sindh — including Tharparkar, Umerkot, Badin, Mirpurkhas, and others — are likely to receive light to moderate rain. These showers will be accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 55 kilometers per hour. The rain may bring relief from the heat but could also cause waterlogging in low-lying areas, a common problem in Karachi during heavy showers.

The PMD has also issued a warning to fishermen, advising them not to venture into the open sea until at least October 3. The sea is expected to remain rough to very rough during this time, which makes fishing extremely dangerous. Apart from this, authorities are concerned that strong winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning strikes could damage vulnerable structures such as mud houses, power lines, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels installed on rooftops.

This latest alert comes at a time when Pakistan is already facing one of its most destructive monsoon seasons in recent years. Since late June, more than 1,000 people have died due to flooding and weather-related accidents across the country. Punjab alone has seen over 4.7 million people affected by floods, with nearly 4,700 villages completely submerged. More than 2.5 million people have been displaced from their homes, and there has been massive damage to standing crops, especially cotton, rice, and sugarcane — crops that are vital to Pakistan’s economy.

Adding to the crisis, Punjab is now facing fresh flood risks. The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned that a strong westerly wave is expected to hit the northern and northeastern regions of the province, particularly the upper catchments of the major rivers, between October 5 and 7. Meteorologists predict heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms, which could worsen the flood situation.

At the moment, water levels at Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages are stable and within normal limits. However, officials remain cautious because a sudden rise in water flow could put pressure on embankments and lead to flash flooding in vulnerable areas.

In Karachi, the weather is expected to stay humid and partly cloudy. Daytime temperatures are likely to range between 33°C and 36°C. Light drizzle or rain may occur off and on until Friday, but other areas of Sindh that are not under the storm’s path are expected to remain hot and dry.

To deal with these challenges, provincial disaster management authorities in Sindh and Punjab have already placed their local administrations on high alert. Deputy commissioners and disaster committees have been instructed to monitor the situation around the clock and to send daily reports. Emergency teams have also been asked to stay prepared for rescue operations, should the situation worsen.

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