Murree records highest rainfall as rain continues across Punjab: PDMA

Rainfall continued across Punjab in the past 24 hours, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Saturday. The highest rainfall during this period was recorded in Murree at 48mm, a PDMA spokesperson added. In Dera Ghazi Khan district, Fort Munro received 40mm of rain, while Wahu recorded 11mm. In Rawalpindi, rainfall was recorded at 40mm in Shamsabad, 35mm in Chaklala and 31mm in Katarian. Attock recorded 35mm of rain, Faisalabad 33mm and Sargodha city 25mm, the spokesperson said. In other areas, Gujrat received 24mm of rain, while Mangla and Joharabad recorded 22mm each, and Chakwal 21mm. In Lahore, 8mm of rain was recorded in the airport area and 3mm in the city. Rainfall, both light and heavy, was also reported in southern Punjab districts, including Multan, Bahawalpur and Layyah. The Director General of PDMA directed all relevant departments to remain on alert and advised citizens to stay in safe places during thunderstorms and lightning. Read: Rain exposes vulnerabilities Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an early warning for Karachi on Saturday, stating that another westerly wave is likely to enter Balochistan from April 5. Under its influence, rain is expected in city and several districts of Sindh on April 6. Wind-thunderstorms with rain, including moderate to isolated heavy falls and isolated hailstorms, are likely in Sukkur, Kashmore and Ghotki districts. Light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms is also expected in Jamshoro, Dadu, Kambar Shahdadkot, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Matiari, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal and Karachi Division. {{pdf}} The department warned that strong winds, lightning and hail may damage vulnerable structures. Read more: Karachi breaks 41-year rainfall record with 38.6mm downpour Separately, a tornadic waterspout was observed during rainfall in the city a day earlier. A tornadic waterspout is described as a rotating column of air forming over water, extending from a cloud to the water surface, appearing as a visible funnel between the sky and the sea. It is considered more powerful and potentially more damaging than a common waterspout and typically forms under conditions similar to those that produce tornadoes. Such activity is regarded as a hazard for fishing vessels at sea.