RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Met Office on Wednesday forecast the first major monsoon rainy spell coupled with dust-thunderstorm for the central and upper parts of the country during next two days.

A weak to moderate monsoon current is penetrating north eastern parts of the country and likely to strengthen in coming days that may unleash rain-dust-thunderstorm associated with strong gusty winds in Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha, Faisalabad Divisions, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan from Thursday to Sunday.

Besides, an isolated rain-dust-thunderstorm associated with strong gusty winds is also expected under the monsoon system in Zhob, D I Khan, D G Khan and Multan divisions from Friday evening to Sunday.

More scattered rain-thundershower from a moderate to heavy falls associated with strong gusty winds also likely in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sargodha and Faisalabad divisions and Kashmir from Monday to Thursday. Isolated rain may pour in D G Khan, Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu and D I Khan divisions over the period.

In the next 24 hours: Mainly hot and dry weather is expected in the most parts of the country, while very hot in most plain areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh. However, isolated rain-thunderstorm with gusty winds is expected in Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Lahore Divisions, Islamabad, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

“Seasonal low lies over north Balochistan with its trough extending eastwards. Weak moist currents are penetrating north eastern parts of the country and likely to strengthen in coming days.

Over the past 24 hours: Weather remained hot and dry in the most parts of the country, while very hot and in most plain areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh.

Highest temperatures was recorded in D I Khan as 47 degrees Celsius, Bahawalnagar, Sibbi and Bhakkar 46, each, Peshawar 43, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan and Lahore 42, each, Quetta and Hyderabad 40, each, Muzaffarabad 41, Gilgit 39, and Karachi 37. Nangarparkar received 30 mm of rainfall.

Temperature in Karachi is expected to range up to 36 degrees Celsius with 75 percent humidity on Thursday and Friday. Warm and hot weather is likely to prevail in the next 48 hours.