Monsoon season in Pakistan could extend through September as climate shifts

KARACHI: The meteorologists fear that the monsoon season in Pakistan may persist until late September due to climate change, resulting in a shift in the weather.

In southern Pakistan, where rainfall has been much less than in past years, experts observed that monsoon currents have so far had little effect.

Northern and upper regions, including parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are the primary victims of the monsoon winds, experts observed.

However, experts forecast a shift in wind direction towards the south of the country beginning August 10, allowing the monsoon system to begin influencing the region in mid-August.

Sixth spell of monsoon rains

Moreover, rain is forecasted in several districts of the province of Punjab in the next 24 hours.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab issued a cautionary advisory ahead of the sixth spell of monsoon.

Chenab and Jhelum rivers may witness a mid to high level of flooding due to the rains forecasted from August 5. More rains are expected in August than in July.

An alert to the commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province has been issued by the PDMA Punjab.

Rain is predicted in Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, and Sargodha.

Mianwali, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, and Okara, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Vehari, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, and Rajanpur may witness rains.

A low-level flood was already occurring at the Chenab River’s Khanki point, according to PDMA authorities, and same circumstances were noted in the Indus at Kalabagh, Chashma, and Taunsa.

According to reports, Mangla Dam was just 61% full, whereas Tarbela Dam was 89% full. Along with related hill torrents, water flows in the Jhelum, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers continued to be typical.