Punjab on alert as PDMA warns of thunderstorms, strong winds and possible hail amid widespread rain
Residents wade through a flooded road, following monsoon rains and rising water levels in Qadirabad village near the Chenab River in Punjab province, Pakistan August 28, 2025. Photo: Reuters
LAHORE:
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a province-wide alert for thunderstorms, rain and possible hailstorms on Saturday after widespread showers were recorded in several districts over the past 24 hours.
Rain is expected in most parts of the province, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Bhakkar, Layyah, Faisalabad, Jhang, Okara, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sargodha, Mianwali, Sheikhupura, Khushab, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Kot Addu and Mandi Bahauddin.
Lahore, Sialkot and Narowal are also expected to receive rainfall as weather activity continues across central and northern Punjab.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province had been placed on alert. The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) in Lahore has also directed operational staff to remain in the field in view of possible urban flooding and rainfall-related disruptions.
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Residents have been advised to stay in safe locations during lightning storms and avoid open areas during periods of thunder and strong winds. The PDMA has also urged precautionary measures during dust storms, while farmers have been advised to adjust agricultural activities according to weather conditions. Tourists travelling to northern areas have been asked to remain cautious due to unstable weather patterns.
The alert follows significant rainfall recorded across Punjab in the previous 24 hours. Joharabad received the highest rainfall at 72 millimetres, followed by Hafizabad with 44mm and Noorpur Thal with 43mm. Kasur and Sheikhupura recorded 22mm each, while Gujranwala received 16mm. Sargodha recorded 13mm, Jhang 12mm, Attock 11mm, Bhakkar 8mm, Chakwal 7mm and Okara 5mm.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said a seasonal low-pressure system persists over north Balochistan and adjoining regions, while a westerly wave continues to affect the upper parts of the country. Moist currents from the Arabian Sea are also penetrating central and upper regions, contributing to unstable weather conditions.
Authorities have forecast mostly hot and dry weather across much of the country over the weekend. However, isolated rain-windstorms and thunderstorms are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir, along with adjoining hilly areas on Saturday and Sunday.
In a tourism-focused advisory, the PMD warned that rain, strong winds and thunderstorms, along with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms, are expected on Sunday in several popular northern destinations, including Murree, Galliyat, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Swat, Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Kaghan Valley, Naran, Kalam, Chitral and Dir.
It added that while many tourist locations may remain partly cloudy, intermittent rain and thunderstorms are likely to continue from Monday to Thursday in hill stations such as Kaghan, Naran and Kalam, potentially disrupting travel and outdoor activities.
In contrast, dry and stable conditions are expected to persist in Ziarat and surrounding areas over the coming days, making it a comparatively more predictable destination for travellers.
In Lahore, the weather remained partly cloudy on Saturday with intervals of sunshine and a chance of rain later in the day. The city’s temperature was recorded at 27°C, with a maximum expected near 33°C. Humidity stood at 64%, while winds were recorded at 11 kilometres per hour.