Authorities have issued fresh weather warnings amid the approach of a developing storm in the northeast Arabian Sea, which is expected to bring rainfall and strong winds to Sindh. Meanwhile, a separate weather system from the west could trigger heavy showers across Punjab early next week, raising concerns over flood risks in the region.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a strong low-pressure area that initially formed near India’s Saurashtra coast has now moved into the Arabian Sea, situated approximately 310 kilometers southeast of Karachi. The system is forecasted to intensify into a tropical depression within the next 12 hours.
Under the influence of this system, Karachi and 11 southern districts of Sindh—including Tharparkar, Umerkot, Badin, and Mirpurkhas—are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall with gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 55 km/h, starting Tuesday. The PMD has urged fishermen to avoid venturing into the open sea until at least October 3 due to expected rough to very rough sea conditions lasting through Thursday.
Officials have also warned that strong winds and lightning may cause damage to vulnerable structures such as mud houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels.
This warning arrives amid one of Pakistan’s most devastating monsoon seasons in recent years. Since late June, flooding has claimed more than 1,000 lives nationwide. In Punjab alone, over 4.7 million people have been affected, with nearly 4,700 villages still submerged. The floods have displaced more than 2.5 million individuals and caused significant damage to key crops including cotton, rice, and sugarcane.
Looking ahead, the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has forecasted that a strong westerly wave will impact northern and northeastern Punjab—particularly the upper catchment areas of major rivers—between October 5 and 7. This system is expected to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, further raising concerns about flooding.
While water levels at key barrages such as Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri currently remain within normal limits, authorities remain vigilant about the potential for sudden water surges that could threaten embankments and result in flash floods.
In Karachi, the weather is predicted to remain humid and partly cloudy, with daytime temperatures ranging between 33°C and 36°C. Occasional light rain or drizzle is expected through Friday, while other parts of Sindh, unaffected by the storm, will likely experience hot and dry conditions.
In response to the developing situation, disaster management authorities in Sindh and Punjab have placed local administrations on high alert.
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Deputy commissioners and disaster management committees have been instructed to maintain continuous monitoring and submit daily reports to ensure prompt response to any emergencies as the weather systems approach.
