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The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has forecast an early and above-average monsoon season in Pakistan, with rains expected to begin around June 26 or 27, a few days earlier than the usual July start.
The update came during a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman, at NDMA headquarters. Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, NDMA Chairman, warned of localized flooding risks due to expected heavy rains and glacier melt in vulnerable regions.
Northern and Eastern Punjab are forecast to receive the most rainfall, possibly 50% higher than average, while Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan may also experience significant downpours. Rainfall in Punjab may rise from the normal 344 mm to 388 mm, with Southern Punjab seeing elevated levels too.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), northern regions may get below-average rain, but southern parts are expected to receive normal to above-normal precipitation. Rainfall in KP could increase from 243 mm to 300 mm. Azad Kashmir is also expected to experience heavy rainfall, while Balochistan faces lower rainfall and extreme heat.
NDMA officials cautioned about cloudbursts and flash floods, urging preparedness across sensitive areas. The authority also noted it had issued a heatwave advisory six months in advance, underscoring its proactive climate risk management.
