Smog May Come Earlier Due to Low Rainfall in September: PMD

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) indicated on Friday that the country is likely to experience near-normal rainfall in most regions during September. However, reduced rainfall in the post-monsoon period could lead to an earlier onset of fog and smog in certain areas.

PMD Director General Mahr Sahibzad Khan, during a press conference, stated that north-eastern Punjab and south-eastern Sindh could experience slightly above-normal rainfall in September. He also stated that daytime maximum temperatures are expected to stay normal to below normal across most parts of the country.

The PMD official further said that rain with isolated heavy falls is expected in the upper parts of the country from September 2-4. He warned that the heavy rain could lead to flash flooding in local streams and nullahs, as well as trigger landslides in vulnerable areas.

Khan provided an overview of the rainfall over the last two months, noting that the country experienced 11 rain spells from July 1 to August 30, with an overall 60 percent increase in rainfall.

He highlighted that Sindh received 125 percent more rainfall than usual, followed by Balochistan with 115 percent above normal levels. Punjab saw a 56 percent increase, Gilgit-Baltistan had 5 percent more rainfall, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded a 1 percent rise.

The PMD director revealed that in August, Pakistan experienced 137 percent more rainfall than expected. Sindh witnessed an extraordinary surge, receiving 318 percent more rainfall than usual, while Balochistan recorded a 239 percent increase.

Punjab saw 111 percent higher rainfall, Gilgit-Baltistan 58 percent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 25 percent, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir had 10 percent more rainfall than average.