Islamabad, The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) have released a weather outlook for April 2024, predicting near normal rainfall across Pakistan with slightly higher levels in the northern regions and increased temperatures nationwide.

According to Press Information Department, the forecast is influenced by the Positive Phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) transitioning towards a Neutral Phase and the current Neutral Phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Northern areas, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Northern Punjab, and the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, are expected to experience slightly above-normal rainfall. Daytime maximum temperatures are likely to be normal to slightly above normal, with the northern parts, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, expected to see the highest temperature increases.

The anticipated weather conditions suggest potential strong winds, dust storms, thunderstorms, and hailstorms due to temperature gradients. Heatwave conditions could prevail in Punjab and interior Sindh, exacerbated by urban heat islands in metropolitan areas. Northern regions face risks of avalanches and glacier lake outburst floods (GLOF) due to warmer temperatures.

Increased rainfall in the north might cause flash flooding and landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas. The report also notes that irrigation will be necessary for seasonal crops, with the pollen season expected to conclude by mid-April.