An inauguration ceremony for the project of “Rainwater Harvesting for Groundwater Recharge in Islamabad” was held with the attendance of Honorable Chief Guest, Captain (Retd.) Muhammad Usman Younas, Chief Commission/Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), Islamabad, Dr Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), Mr. Sahibzad Khan, Director General, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and Sardar Khan Zimri, Deputy Director General, Water Management, CDA, Islamabad.

The honourable guests were welcomed by Mr. Sahibzad Khan, Director General, PMD along with the senior officers of PMD. Director General, PMD appreciated the project and emphasis such a project should be launched in the rest of the urban cities of Pakistan to mitigate the challenges of climate change on groundwater depletion/recharge. The chairman, PCRWR briefed about the importance and design of the project. The Deputy Director General, Water Management (CDA), briefed about the other rainwater harvesting sites and installation challenges in Islamabad. The Chief Guest appreciated the efforts made by CDA and PCRWR. Later on, the rainwater harvesting site for groundwater recharge was inaugurated by the Chief Guest. The ceremony ended with a vote of thanks by Mr. Zahid Rafi, Chief Meteorologist, PMD.

The honourable Chief Guest thanked the Director General, PMD for their warm welcome and hospitality. Director General, PMD thanked the Honorable Chief Commissioner/ Chairman CDA, Islamabad for sparing valuable moments and acknowledging the role and services of PMD.

Met Office informed that a westerly wave is likely to enter North Balochistan on 10th January (night), and likely to grip upper parts on 11th January (Wednesday). Under the influence of this weather system:

• Rain/snowfall (isolated heavy fall) is expected in Quetta, Zhob, Barkhan, Ziarat, Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Harnai, Qilla Saifullah, Qilla Abdullah, Chaman, Muslim Bagh and Pishin on 10th (night) & 11th January.
• Rain (moderate to isolated heavy snowfall) is expected in Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), Gilgit Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Kohistan, Mansehra and Abbottabad from 11th to 13th January.
• Moderate rain is also expected in Islamabad, Pothohar region, Charsadda, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Bannu, Karak, Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Layyah, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Sahiwal, Okara and Lahore from 11th to 13th January. Light rain may occur along Makran coast, D. I Khan, D. G. Khan, Muzaffargarh, Multan, Khanewal and Pakpattan on 11th & 12th January

Possible Impacts:

• Heavy snowfall may disrupt and cause clouser of roads in Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli from 11th to 13th January. Possibility of landslides in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan can’t be ruled out
• Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious during the spell
• Rain will be beneficial for the standing crops particularly in parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• Foggy conditions are likely to subside during the forecast period
• Temperatures are likely to fall significantly during and after the spell.

NOTE: All concerned authorities are advised to remain “ALERT” to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.

Met Office informed that a westerly wave is likely to enter north Balochistan on 06th January (evening/night), and likely to grip upper parts on weekend. Under the influence of this weather system:

• Light to moderate rain (with snowfall over the hills) is expected in Quetta, Zhob, Barkhan, Ziarat, Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Harnai, Qilla Saifullah, Qilla Abdullah, Chaman and Pishin on 07th and 08th January.
• Moderate rain (with snowfall over the hills) is also expected in Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mir pur), Gilgit Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Kohistan, Mansehra and Abbottabad from 07th to 09th January.
• Light rain is also expected in Islamabad, Pothohar region, Charsada, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan and Kohat during the weekend.

Possible Impacts:

• Rain will be beneficial for the standing crops specially in Barani areas
• Foggy conditions are likely to reduce during the forecast period
• Day temperatures are likely to fall (05-07) °C during the wet spell
• Snowfall may disrupt normal vehicular traffic in mountainous/hilly areas
• Possibility of landslides in Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan can’t be ruled out due to which blockage of roads may occur during the forecast period

NOTE: All concerned authorities are advised to remain cautious to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.

Met Office informed that after a long dry spell, a westerly wave has entered in Northwestern parts of Balochistan and likely to grip upper and central parts of the country on 28th (night) and may persist till 29th December. Under the influence of this weather system:

• Rain (with snowfall over the hills) is expected in Quetta, Zhob, Barkhan, Ziarat, Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Harani, Qillah Saifullah, Qillah Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Gwadar, Jiwani, Turbat, Panjgur, Kalat, Khuzdar, Sibbi, Naseerabad and Lasbella on 27th (evening/night) to 29th December.
• Light to moderate rain (with snowfall over the hills) is also expected in Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Sargodha, Islamabad, Murree, Galiyat and Pothohar region on 28th (night) and 29th December.
• Light rain is also expected in Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan and Bhakkar during the period.

Possible Impacts:

• Rain will be beneficial for the standing crops specially in Barani areas.
• Foggy conditions are likely to subside during the forecast period.
• Day temperatures are likely to fall (05-07) °C during the wet spell.
• Snowfall may disrupt normal vehicular traffic in mountainous/hilly areas.

Met office informed that due to persistent dry weather, dense foggy conditions are likely to continue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Peshawar, Rashakai, Mardan, Charsada, Swabi, Nowshehra and D I Khan), Punjab (Jhelum, Lahore, Gujranwala, Narowal, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sargodha, Mianwali, Toba Tek Singh, Okara, Sahiwal, Bhakkar, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Multan, Rahimyar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan) and Sindh (Sukkur, Larkana, Hyderabad, Mohenjo-Daro and surrounding areas) particularly from (2000 PST to 1200 PST).

Very cold weather conditions in Murree, Galiyat, Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir, North Balochistan and parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Possible Impacts:

• Foggy conditions may affect transportation means
• Air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

NOTE: Travelers are advised to remain cautious to avoid any untoward situation.

Met office informed that due to persistent dry weather, foggy conditions are likely to continue during the coming week with increasing intensity, particularly during night and morning hours. While, very cold weather conditions in Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir, North Balochistan and parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Partly cloudy to cloudy weather conditions are expected in Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan and Kashmir with chances of light rain with snowfall over the hills on 2^nd & 3^rd December.

Possible Impacts:

• Foggy conditions may affect transportation means.
• Air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

NOTE: Travelers are advised to remain cautious to avoid any untoward situation.

Met office informed that due to persistent dry weather foggy conditions have developed in northeast and southern parts of Punjab, plains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh and these conditions are likely to continue during the week particularly during night and morning hours. While, very cold weather conditions in Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir, North Balochistan and parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Possible Impacts:

• Foggy conditions may affect transportation means
• Air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups

NOTE: Travelers are advised to remain cautious to avoid any untoward situation.

Met office informed that a westerly wave is likely to enter in the country on 04th November (evening/night) and likely to persist till 07th November. Under the influence of this weather system:

• Rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the mountains) with isolated hailstorms expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Malakand, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan from 04th (evening/night) to 07th November, while in Bajaur, Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Kohat, Waziristan, Bannu, D.I.Khan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhang and Faisalabad from 05th to 07th November (Morning).
• Heavy rainfall is expected in Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir, Islamabad, Pothohar region, Gujrat, Gujranwala and Sialkot on 5th and 6th November.
• Light to moderate rain-wind/thunderstorm is also expected in Quetta, Zhob, Barkhan, Chaman, Pishin, Qillah Saifullah, Loralai, Bolan, Sibbi, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Karachi, Qambar Shahdadkot, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Naseerabad, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, D.G. Khan, Rajanpur Muzaffargarh, Sahiwal and Okara on 06th (Evening/night) & 07th November.

Possible Impacts:

• Day temperature likely to fall 05 to 07 °C in upper parts including north Balochistan and 02 to 04 °C in southern parts of the country.
• Cold wave condition is likely to grip upper parts including north Balochistan after the passage of westerly wave.
• Heavy fall may trigger landslides in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
• Wet spell will be beneficial for the sowing of wheat while may affect rice crop harvesting.

NOTE: All concerned authorities are particularly advised to remain 'ALERT' during the forecast period.

British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr. Christian Turner CMG, visited Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Headquarters Office Islamabad, on 02nd November, 2022. The honorable guest was welcomed by the Director General, PMD, Mr. Sahibzad Khan along with the senior officers of PMD.

Dr. Christian Turner and Director General, PMD along with his team visited the Weather Surveillance Radar, Islamabad. Honorable High Commissioner showed keen interest in the operation of the Radar. The delegation also visited National Weather Forecasting Centre (NWFC) and Seismic Monitoring Center at Met. Headquarter PMD, Islamabad. They were also briefed about the installations of Flash Flood Early Warning Center for Nullah Lai Basin. Honorable High Commissioner took keen interest in the working of PMD and appreciated the efforts being made in provision of weather information and early warning.

Honorable High Commissioner thanked the Director General, PMD for their warm welcome and hospitality. Director General, PMD thanked the Honorable High Commissioner for sparing valuable moments and acknowledging the role and services of PMD in weather forecasting and seismic monitoring. Later on, the honorable guest planted a tree in the premises of PMD.

Met office informed that moist currents are penetrating in upper parts of the country and likely to continue during next 4 to 5 days. A westerly wave is also likely to enter upper parts of the country on 11th September (Sunday).

Under the influence of this weather system:

• Rain-wind/thundershower (with isolated heavy falls) is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Malakand, Bajaur, Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Kohat, Waziristan, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhang and Faisalabad from 10th to 14th September, while Bhakkar, Layyah, D.G.Khan and Muzaffargarh on 13th and 14th September with occasional gaps.
• Rain-wind/thundershower is expected in Tharparkar, Umarkot, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Thatta and Badin from 10th to 14th September, while in Lasbella, Kalat and Khuzdar on 13th and 14th September with occasional gaps.

Possible Impacts:

• Rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, Galiyat and Murree during the forecast period.