Web desk: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide weather advisory, warning that a fresh spell of rain is expected across Pakistan, including Karachi, within the next 24 hours.
The alert, shared through the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) on Saturday, stated that intermittent rainfall will likely affect several regions over the coming 12 to 24 hours.
According to the forecast, parts of Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Gilgit-Baltistan are set to receive showers.
Rainfall is also predicted in the upper catchment areas of major rivers, including the Jhelum, Ravi, and Sutlej. In Punjab, the districts of Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Hafizabad, Sargodha, and Khushab are likely to be affected.
Sindh is also on alert, and Karachi, Jamshoro, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Umerkot, and Tharparkar are likely to receive rain.
In the meantime, widespread showers will occur in various districts, including Chitral, Dir, Haripur, Kohat, Kohistan, Khyber, Kurram, and Mansehra.
Other areas at risk of thunderstorms include Mohmand, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Abbottabad, Bannu, Buner, Hazara, Peshawar, Swabi, and Waziristan.
The NDMA has cautioned that heavy rainfall in the hilly terrain of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir could lead to landslides. People travelling through mountainous areas have been advised to avoid unnecessary journeys to minimise risk.
Cyclone Shakti Latest Forecast
The latest forecast comes as Cyclone Shakti, developing over the northeastern Arabian Sea, has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed that the system was located approximately 390 kilometres southwest of Karachi earlier on Saturday.
In prospect, the NDMA has forecasted a moderate fall in temperatures around the nation beginning on October 4.
Cold continental winds will be expected throughout the country, and a strong westerly disturbance is going to hit the region between October 4 and 7.
This weather system would cause mild to moderate rainfall and individual thunderstorms, especially in KP, northeastern Punjab, and central Punjab.
Is Cyclone Shakti heading towards Karachi?
Cyclone Shakti is currently about 390 kilometres southwest of Karachi and has intensified, but weather officials say it is not expected to make direct landfall on the Sindh coast.
The storm may still bring strong winds, rough seas, and rain to coastal areas, with wind speeds near Karachi likely reaching 40 to 55 km/h.
Stronger winds, up to 110 to 125 km/h, are expected closer to the cyclone’s centre.
The system is forecast to curve east-northeast and gradually weaken by Sunday, though people in Karachi and along the Sindh coast are advised to remain cautious.
