Weak monsoon currents have begun penetrating the northeastern parts of Balochistan, increasing the likelihood of rain, thunderstorms and strong winds across several districts over the next two days, the Meteorological Department’s Quetta Regional Centre said on Wednesday.
The weather office forecast rain, wind and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy downpours during the evening, in Zhob, Sherani, Qillah Saifullah, Musakhel, Kohlu, Barkhan, Rakhni, Loralai, Dukki, Harnai, Ziarat, Khuzdar, Wadh and Awaran districts over the next 24 hours. Partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with light rain or drizzle at one or two locations are expected in Kalat, Surab, Dera Bugti, Sibi and Quetta districts. Dust and sandstorms accompanied by strong gusty winds are also likely in Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Washuk, Kharan, Panjgur, Quetta, Pishin, Chaman, Qillah Abdullah and along the coastal belt.
For the following 48 hours, the department predicted that rain, wind and thunderstorms, accompanied by isolated heavy falls, would continue in Zhob, Sherani, Qillah Saifullah, Musakhel, Kohlu, Barkhan, Rakhni, Khuzdar, Wadh, Awaran, Loralai, Dukki, Harnai and Ziarat districts. Kalat, Surab, Panjgur, Dera Bugti, Sibi and Quetta districts are likely to experience partly cloudy to cloudy weather with light rain or drizzle at isolated places. Dust and sandstorms with strong winds are also expected to persist in Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Washuk, Kharan, Panjgur, Quetta, Pishin, Chaman, Qillah Abdullah and the coastal areas.
The department said Quetta city recorded a maximum temperature of 41.5 degrees Celsius during the past 24 hours, equalling the highest temperature ever recorded in the city for the month of June, previously set in 2005.
It said Khuzdar received 14.4 millimetres of rainfall during the past 24 hours.
Maximum temperatures recorded during the last 24 hours included Nokkundi at 47.5°C, Dalbandin at 47.0°C, Sibi at 46.0°C, Usta Muhammad at 44.0°C, Quetta at 41.5°C, Quetta RMC at 41.0°C, Khuzdar at 41.0°C, Samungli at 40.5°C, Barkhan at 40.5°C, Zhob at 40.0°C, Sariab at 39.5°C, Uthal at 39.0°C, Panjgur at 39.0°C, Turbat at 39.0°C, Lasbella at 38.5°C, Kalat at 36.0°C, Pasni at 34.0°C, Jiwani at 33.5°C, Ormara at 33.0°C, and Gwadar at 32.5°C.