PMD Predicts More Heavy Rain Before Eid ul Fitr

Heavy rain paired with gusty winds swept across Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Sunday, bringing a noticeable chill and prompting the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) to warn that more wet spells are likely before Eid ul Fitr, along with a further drop in temperatures.

A stronger system is forecast from March 18 to March 20, while another round of rain is expected after Eid ul Fitr.

The PMD also expects temperatures to fall over the next few days. The official said the mercury dipped by around two degrees Celsius in the twin cities on Sunday and that cooler conditions are likely compared to last week.

The downpour began in the morning hours after Sehri and continued through the day with breaks. While sunshine briefly cut through the cloud cover earlier on, showers returned in the afternoon and persisted intermittently into the evening.

According to PMD readings, Islamabad received 24mm of rain at Saidpur, 9mm at Golra, 15mm at Bokra and 20mm at Zero Point. In Rawalpindi, the department recorded 15mm at Shamsabad, 14mm at Chaklala, 15mm at Pirwadhai, 13mm at Gawalmandi and 17mm at New Kattarian.

A PMD official said a westerly weather system moved into the country’s northwestern areas on Sunday and is expected to remain active into Monday afternoon.

He added that most regions are likely to stay dry overall, but isolated rain with wind and thunderstorms could occur in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper Punjab, the Potohar region, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The official also cautioned that hail and windstorms may hit a few locations in upper Punjab and the Potohar belt during the period.

In Rawalpindi, the rain complicated movement in several areas, with ongoing roadwork leaving streets muddy and slippery. Residents also reported water accumulation in parts of the city and cantonment.

In response, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) placed its teams on high alert. WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan said staff and heavy machinery were stationed in low-lying localities, and drainage operations were underway in areas including Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk Underpass, Murree Road and Sadiqabad.

He said the water level in Leh Nullah remained within normal limits, but monitoring of drains and nullahs was continuing. WASA’s rain emergency teams, he added, were mobilized to respond quickly if the rainfall intensifies.

Khan urged citizens to stay away from drains during wet weather and to avoid dumping waste into nullahs, warning that garbage can worsen flooding by blocking water flow. He said immediate pumping and drainage measures would be taken wherever water collects in low-lying areas.