Pakistan’s Meteorological Department on Friday warned that heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods and landslides in several parts of Balochistan over the next 24 to 48 hours as a westerly weather system, coupled with moisture from the Arabian Sea, continues to influence the province.
According to the department’s Quetta Regional Centre, heavy downpours are expected in Musakhel, Rakhni, Barkhan, Sherani, Zhob, Mekhtar, Qillah Saifullah, Khuzdar, Wadh and Dukki districts. The department cautioned that vulnerable mountainous areas could experience landslides, while local streams and hill torrents may overflow, resulting in flash flooding.
The prevailing weather system is being driven by a westerly wave affecting northern Balochistan, while moist currents from the Arabian Sea continue to penetrate the province’s northeastern hilly regions, increasing the likelihood of widespread rainfall.
Moderate rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms is forecast for Zhob, Sherani, Muslim Bagh, Musakhel, Kohlu, Barkhan, Rakhni, Khuzdar, Wadh, Loralai, Dukki, Harnai, Ziarat, Dera Bugti, Qillah Saifullah and Awaran. Isolated heavy rainfall is also expected in Musakhel, Rakhni, Barkhan, Zhob, Mekhtar, Loralai, Khuzdar, Wadh and Dukki during the forecast period.
Light rain or drizzle, accompanied by dusty winds, is also likely at isolated locations in Quetta, Kalat, Surab, Sibi, Jhal Magsi, Uthal, Lasbela and Panjgur districts during the next 24 hours.
For the following 48 hours, the department forecast predominantly hot and dry weather across most districts of Balochistan. However, partly cloudy to cloudy conditions, with a chance of light rain or drizzle at isolated places, are expected in Zhob, Sherani and Musakhel districts.
During the past 24 hours, Khuzdar received the highest rainfall at 9.7 millimetres, followed by Barkhan with 7.0 mm, Lasbela with 6.0 mm, and Uthal and Kalat with 1.0 mm each. Trace rainfall was recorded in Quetta City, Quetta Regional Meteorological Centre and Sariab.
The highest maximum temperature recorded during the past 24 hours was 45.5 degrees Celsius in Dalbandin, followed by Nokkundi at 44.5°C and Sibi at 44.0°C. Other major temperatures included Usta Muhammad at 42.5°C, Khuzdar at 40.5°C, Uthal at 40.0°C, Panjgur and Turbat at 39.5°C each, Lasbela at 39.0°C, Quetta at 38.5°C, Quetta Regional Meteorological Centre and Samungli at 37.5°C each, Sariab at 36.5°C, Barkhan and Zhob at 36.0°C each, Pasni at 34.5°C, Ormara at 33.5°C, Gwadar and Jiwani at 33.0°C each, and Kalat at 31.0°C.