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List of extreme weather records in Pakistan

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Supercell thunderstorm in Larkana on 14 March 2015
Supercell thunderstorm in Larkana on 14 March 2015
Islamabad under dark clouds
Islamabad under dark clouds
Supercell thunderstorm in Faisalabad on 13th March 2020
Supercell thunderstorm in Faisalabad on 13th March 2020
Lightning flashing just over the mountains in Murree, Pakistan
Lightning in Murree during the monsoon of 2005

Extreme weather in Pakistan includes everything from heavy rainfall and flooding to extremely low or extremely high temperatures. Pakistan has one of the highest temperature ranges in the world (temperature range refers to the difference between the highest and lowest recorded temperatures of a certain area). Temperatures can range from as high as those in the Sahara Desert, to as low as those in Alaska, making it one of the most climatically diverse countries in the world. The highest temperature that has ever been recorded in Pakistan is 53.8 °C (128.8 °F), which was recorded in Turbat, Balochistan, and Moenjo Daro, Sindh, on 28 May 2017 and 26 May 2010 respectively.[1][2] It was not only the hottest temperature ever to be recorded in Pakistan, but it was also the hottest reliably measured temperature that has ever been recorded on the continent of Asia, and it was the fourth-highest temperature that has ever been recorded on Earth. On 23 July 2001, a rainfall of 620 millimetres (24 in) was recorded in Islamabad; the rain fell in just 10 hours.[3][4]

Temperature

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Temperature is measured, as standard, at 1.2 meters above ground, and out of direct sunlight (hence the term x degrees "in the shade").

High temperatures

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In Pakistan, heat waves can occur at any time between April and September; the most powerful ones occur in May and June. Areas of southern Pakistan often experience temperatures above 50 °C (122 °F). The most deadly heat wave in Pakistan's history was the record-breaking heat wave of May 2010. Heat spreads throughout the north-central part of the country, including the Punjab and KPK.

List of cities with temperature of 50 °C or above

[edit]

This list is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2022,[5] along with other sources.[1]

Date Temperature °C City Province Notes References
28 May 2017 54 °C

(129.2 °F)[1]

Turbat Balochistan The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has officially evaluated temperature record extremes of 54 °C (129 °F) in Turbat, Pakistan, on 28 May 2017. [6][1]
26 May 2010 53 °C (127 °F)[A] Larkana Sindh This was the fifth-highest temperature that has ever been recorded on Earth and the second-hottest reliably-measured temperature to be recorded on the continent of Asia. Larkana has been Pakistan's hottest city since 2010. 50 °C (122 °F) or above was recorded on four consecutive days from 24 to 27 May, 2010. [2]
26 May 2010 53 °C (127 °F) Jacobabad Sindh 50 °C (122 °F) or above was recorded for four consecutive days: 24 to 27 May, 2010. This temperature was also recorded on 12 June 1919. [2]
26 May 2010 53 °C (127 °F)[A] Sibi Balouchistan 50 °C (122 °F) or above was recorded on five consecutive days between 22 to 26 May 2010. Previously, 52.6 °C (126.7 °F) was recorded on June 5, 2003.[7] [2]
12 June 1919 52.8 °C (127.0 °F) Jacobabad Sindh [8][9]
31 May 1998 52.7 °C (126.9 °F)[A] Larkana Sindh This was the highest recorded temperature in 1998. [10]
26 May 2010 52.5 °C (126.5 °F)[A] Padidan Sindh 50 °C (122 °F) or above was recorded on three consecutive days from 24 to 26 May 2010. [2]
19 May 2016 52.2 °C (126.0 °F)[A] Larkana Sindh It was the highest recorded temperature in Pakistan in 2016. 50 °C (122 °F) or above was recorded for four consecutive days from 17 to 20 May 2016. [11]
30 May 2009 52 °C (126 °F) Turbat Balouchistan 50 °C (122 °F) or above was recorded for five consecutive days from 26 to 29 May 2009. [2]
26 May 2010 52 °C (126 °F)[A] Nawabshah Sindh 50 °C (122 °F) or above was recorded for five consecutive days from 22 to 26 May 2010. [2]
19 May 2013 51.5 °C (124.7 °F) Larkana Sindh [12]
22 May 2010 51.3 °C (124.3 °F) Larkana Sindh [13]
9 June 2007 51 °C (124 °F) Bhakkar Punjab 50 °C (122 °F) or above was recorded for two consecutive days on the 9 and 10 June 2007. [2]
1 June 1996 51 °C (124 °F) Rohri Sindh [14]
28 May 2010 51 °C (124 °F)[A] Dadu Sindh 50 °C (122 °F) was recorded for two days, 26 and 27 May 2010. [2]
26 May 2010 51 °C (124 °F)[A] Noorpurthal Punjab 50 °C (122 °F) was recorded on May 19, 2011. [2][15]
25 May 2010 51 °C (124 °F)[A] Sukkur Sindh 50 °C (122 °F) or above was recorded for three consecutive days, 25 to 27 May 2010. [2]
10 June 2007 51 °C (124 °F) Sargodha Punjab 50 °C (122 °F) was recorded for 2 days, 9 and 10 June 2007. [2]
15 May 2009 50 °C (122 °F) Lasbella Balochistan 50 °C (122 °F) was recorded for 2 days, 15 and 16 May 2009. 50 °C (122 °F) was also recorded on May 21, 2011. [2][16]
27 May 2010 50 °C (122 °F)[A] Multan Punjab Record temperature in city; previous highest was 49 °C (120 °F) in 1956. [2]
26 May 2010 50 °C (122 °F)[A] Bahawalnagar Punjab [2]
20 May 2011 50 °C (122 °F) Pasni Balochistan [17]
20 June 1986 50 °C (122 °F)[A] Dera Ghazi Khan Punjab 50 °C (122 °F) or above was recorded for three consecutive days from 20 June 1986. [18]
5 June 1978 50 °C (122 °F) Dera Ismail Khan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [19]
10 June 2007 50 °C (122 °F) Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 50 °C (122 °F) or above was recorded for two days, 9 and 10 June 2007. [2]

List of cities with temperature of 45 °C or above but below 50 °C

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This list is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020,[5] and other sources.

Date Temperature °C City Province Notes
20 April 2017 49.0 °C (120.2 °F) Sukkur Sindh This was a record breaking temperature for the month of April.

Record breaking heat wave of April 2017

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A severe heat wave with temperatures as high as 50 °C (122 °F) hit Pakistan, especially its southern areas, in April 2017. This heat wave broke the old temperature records of many cities in the country for the month of April. Larkana, Sindh, experienced the highest maximum temperature of 50 °C (122 °F) on 19 April and broke its old record of 48.5 °C (119.3 °F), which was recorded in April 2000. Other cities of the country also broke their old records of highest maximum temperatures in the month of April.[20]

Recorded temperatures

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Extreme temperatures started to affect these parts of the country from mid-April and peaked on 19–20 April.

Place Temperature Date
Larkana 50.0 °C (122.0 °F) 19 April
Sukkur 49.0 °C (120.2 °F) 20 April
Moenjo Daro 48.5 °C (119.3 °F) 19 & 20 April
Dadu 48.5 °C (119.3 °F) 20 April
Jacobabad 48.0 °C (118.4 °F) 20 April
Nawabshah 48.0 °C (118.4 °F) 20 April
Sibi 48.0 °C (118.4 °F) 19 & 20 April
Karachi 48.0 °C (118.4 °F) 22 & 23 April

Record breaking 2010 summer heat wave

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The hottest temperature ever to be recorded in Asia, and the fourth highest temperature that has ever been recorded in the world, was recorded in Mohenjo-daro, Sindh, at 53.5 °C (128.3 °F). The second hottest temperature ever to be recorded in Asia and the fifth highest temperature ever to be recorded in the world was in Larkana, Sindh at 53 °C (127 °F) on May 26, 2010. Twelve cities in Pakistan saw temperatures that went above 50 °C (122 °F) during the extreme summer heatwave of 2010, which lasted from May 22 to May 31 of that year.[21] On May 27, temperatures higher than 45 °C (113 °F) hit areas across Pakistan and at least 18 people died as a result.[22] In addition, during the extreme heatwave season, eleven cities saw their highest-ever recorded temperatures of 50 °C (122 °F) or above, and five cities saw temperatures of 53 °C (127 °F). Eleven cities also saw extreme temperatures of more than 45 °C (113 °F), although they were below 50 °C (122 °F). The previous highest temperature ever recorded for Pakistan and for Asia was on June 12, 1919, at 52.8 °C (127.0 °F); this occurred at Jacobabad.[8][9]

Low temperatures

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In northern and western Pakistan, cold waves can occur between October and March. The most powerful cold waves usually occur in December and January. During these cold waves, some areas of northern and western Pakistan often experience temperatures that are below 0 °C. Often, the place most affected by these cold waves is the glacial parts of Gilgit Baltistan, where, in winter, the average temperature remains below -20 °C. The K2 Peak has recorded a wind chill of -65 °C.[23] The most deadly cold wave in the recent history of Pakistan was the record-breaking cold wave of winter 2020. Temperatures in the hottest places of Pakistan fell below 2 °C or more. Cities that are near the foothills of the Himalayas, including Islamabad, Peshawar, and Lahore, can record temperatures that are below freezing. It is not uncommon for Islamabad to receive snow in strong cold spells; the Khyber Hills, in Peshawar, Hayatabad can also receive light snowfall.

List of some important cities of Pakistan with temperature of 0 °C or below Official data (according to Pakistan Metrological Department)

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Date Temperature °C City Province References
7 January 1995 -24 °C. (-11.2 °F) Skardu Gilgit-Baltistan [citation needed]
??? -23.9 °C Naran (town) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [25]
8 January 1970 -18.3 °C (-0.9 °F) Quetta Balochistan, Pakistan [citation needed]
20 January 1978 −17 °C (1 °F) Kalat Balochistan [citation needed]
5 February 1984 -13.9 °C Dir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [citation needed]
11 January 1987 -13.5 °C Gilgit Gilgit Baltistan [citation needed]
29 December 1972 -12.2 °C Chitral Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [citation needed]
???? -11 °C Murree Punjab, Pakistan [26]
30 December 1997 -11 °C Dalbandin Balochistan, Pakistan [citation needed]
26 January 2008 -11 °C Drosh Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [citation needed]
9 February 1974 -10 °C Nok Kundi Balochistan, Pakistan [citation needed]
30 December 1977 -10 °C Barkhan Balochistan, Pakistan [citation needed]
23 January 1982 -7.3 °C Kakul Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [citation needed]
17 January

1967

−6.0 °C (21.2 °F) Islamabad Islamabad Capital Territory [27]
6 January 2006 −5.4 °C (22.3 °F) Mohenjo Daro Sindh [citation needed]
11 December 1996 −4.1 °C (24.6 °F) Faisalabad Punjab [28]
17 January 1967 -3.9 °C Rawalpindi Punjab, Pakistan [29]
11 January 1967 -3.9 °C Multan Punjab, Pakistan [citation needed]
27 January 2008 -3 °C Saidu Sharif Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [citation needed]
1 February 1929 -3 °C Sialkot Punjab [citation needed]
15 January 1935 -3 °C Bahawalpur Punjab, Pakistan [citation needed]
17 January 1935 -2 °C Lahore Punjab [30]
10 January 1983 -1.6 °C Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [citation needed]
6 January 2006 −1.0 °C (30.2 °F) Larkana Sindh [citation needed]

Precipitation

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The standard instrument for measuring rain or snowfall is the rain gauge.

Rainfall

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Pakistan receives rainfall from both monsoons and western disturbances. The Monsoon season occurs from July to September and brings a heavy downpour across the country, except in western Balochistan. Western disturbances occur from October to May and bring rainfall across the country, with some heavy downpour in northern Pakistan. In June, however, western disturbances occasionally hit the northern parts of the country. Occasionally, pre-monsoon weather can also occur in this month.

Heaviest rainfall in a single season

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Record-breaking rainfall in Pakistan that occurred over a single season. This table is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2022[5] and other sources. [31][32]

Season Rainfall (mm) Rainfall (in) City Province Notes
July–August 2022 1,763.9 69.4 Padidan Sindh 1,763.9 millimetres (69.44 in) of rainfall was recorded from 01.07.2022 to 26.08.2022 in Padidan. This was a result of a consistent low pressure area that occurred over northern Sindh. It was the heaviest rainfall in Sindh that has ever been recorded.

Heaviest rainfall of 400 mm or above during a 24 hour period

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Record-breaking rainfall that occurred in Pakistan, which reached over 400 millimetres (16 in) or above during a 24 hour period. This table is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2016,[5] along with other sources.[3][4]

Date Rainfall (mm) Rainfall (in) City Province Notes
23 July 2001 620 24.4 Islamabad Islamabad Capital Territory 620 millimetres (24 in) of rainfall was recorded in a period of 10 hours, on 23 July 2001. This occurred in Islamabad as the result of a cloudburst. It was the heaviest rainfall in Islamabad and also the heaviest recorded in Pakistan.

Rainfall between 200 mm and 400 mm during a 24 hour period

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Record-breaking rainfall that occurred in Pakistan, recorded to be between 200 millimetres (7.9 in) and 400 millimetres (16 in), during a 24 hour period. This is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020,[5] along with other sources.

Date Rainfall (mm) Rainfall (in) City Province Notes References
19 August 2022 355 13.7 Padidan Sindh Record-breaking rainfall, which occurred due to a well marked low pressure area
11 August 2011 350 13.7 Tando Ghulam Ali Sindh [33]
23 July 2001 335 13.1 Rawalpindi (Shamsabad) Punjab Record-breaking rainfall in Rawalpindi, which occurred due to a cloudburst.
7 September 2011 312 12.2 Diplo Sindh Record-breaking rainfall in Diplo. [34]
10 September 2012 305 11.8 Jacobabad Sindh Heaviest 24 hours rainfall while 441 mm rainfall in 36 hours in the month of September.
5 September 2014 300 11.8 Lahore Punjab Heaviest rainfall to ever occur in the month of September during a 24 hour period. [35]
5 September 2014 296 11.7 Jhelum Punjab Heaviest rainfall to ever occur in the month of September during a 24 hour period. [35]
5 September 2014 297 11.7 Islamabad Islamabad Capital Territory [35]
10 August 2011 291 11.5 Mithi Sindh Record-breaking rainfall in Mithi. [36][37][38]
29 July 2010 280 11.0 Risalpur Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

[39]

7 August 1953 278.1 10.95 Karachi (Manora) Sindh [40]
29 July 2010 274 10.7 Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Record-breaking rainfall in Peshawar; the previous record was 187 millimetres (7.4 in) mm, which was recorded on 10 April 2009. [41][39]
5 September 1961 264.2 10.4 Faisalabad Punjab [42]
30 July 2010 257 10.1 Islamabad Islamabad Capital Territory [39]
29 July 2010 257 10.1 Cherat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [39]
2 July 1972 256.5 10.1 Nawabshah Sindh [43]
10 September 1992 255 10.0 Murree Punjab [44]
5 September 2014 251 9.9 Mangla Punjab [35]
5 September 2014 251 9.9 Sialkot Punjab [45]
12 September 1962 250.7 9.8 Hyderabad Sindh [46]
18 July 2009 205 8.07 Karachi (Masroor) Sindh

[47]

5 September 2014 243 9.6 Islamabad Islamabad Capital Territory [35]
2 September 2020 240 9.4 bahawalnagar Punjab [39]
26 August 2011 240 9.4 Kohat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [48]
31 August 2011 238 9.4 Padidan Sindh [49]
5 September 2014 234 9.2 Rawalakot Azad Kashmir [35]
27 August 1997 233.8 9.2 Murree Punjab [44]
29 July 2010 233 9.1 Kohat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [39]
30 July 2010 231 9.1 Murree Punjab [39]
6 June 2010 227 8.9 Gwadar Balouchistan Record-breaking rainfall in Gwadar. [50]
7 September 2011 225 8.85 Mithi Sindh [51]
13 August 2008 221 8.7 Lahore Punjab [52]
20 July 2013 217 8.6 Islamabad Islamabad Capital Territory [53]
1 August 1976 211 8.3 Lahore Punjab [54]
7 July 2003 209 8.2 Larkana Sindh Record-breaking rainfall in a span of 24 hours.
10 September 1992 208 8.2 Muzaffarabad Azad Kashmir [55]
1 July 1977 207.6 8.1 Karachi Sindh [2]
29 July 2007 205 8.0 Sargodha Punjab
4 August 2010 202 7.9 Dera Ismail Khan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Record-breaking rainfall in Dera Ismail Khan; the previous record was 116 millimetres (4.6 in), which was recorded on 4 July 1994. [2][19]
11 August 2011 200 7.8 Tando Mohammad Khan Sindh [56]
11 August 2011 200 7.8 Tando Ghulam Haider Sindh [56]
24 July 2001 200 7.8 Islamabad Islamabad Capital Territory [57]
27 August 1997 200 7.8 Islamabad Islamabad Capital Territory [57]

Record-breaking heavy rainfall of August 2022 in Sindh

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In early July, 2022, when the monsoon began, week long periods of rainfall were already affecting Sindh. A low pressure area had developed over the Bay of Bengal, which became a depression, before it hit northern Sindh on 18th August. The depression became stationary over the northern areas of the province, and caused unprecedented, record-breaking rainfall in places such as Larkana, Naushahro Feroze, Kambar Shahdadkot, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Dadu, Nawabshah, Shikarpur until 22 August. Another low pressure area hit the same part of the province on 25 August, and caused levels of rainfall that stretched from heavy to very heavy.

Heavy rainfall recorded during the month of August 2022 in Sindh

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Heavy rainfall of more than 200 millimetres (7.9 in) that was recorded during the month of August 2022, in the province of Sindh, but particularly in northern Sindh. This information is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

City Rainfall (mm) Rainfall (in)
Padidan 1228.5 48.4
Moenjo Daro 779.5 30.7
Larkana 762.3 30.0
Sakrand 617 24.3
Khairpur Mir's 606.3 23.8
Tando Jam 603 23.7
Chhor 547.9 21.6
Jacobabad 498.7 19.6
Nawabshah 495.7 19.5
Sukkur 379 14.9
Rohri 371.4 14.6
Dadu 337 13.3
Badin 307.5 12.1
Mirpur Khas 304 12.0
Mithi 273 10.7
Hyderabad 243 9.6
Thatta 208.8 8.2

Record-breaking heavy Rainfall of September 2014

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In the first week of September, 2014, an August-like monsoonal period hit the country. This occurred when a very low air pressure system (29") was formed over Kashmir; this then moved eastward into Northern Pakistan. The spell caused torrential rainfall on the first five days of September. This resulted in devastation to life and property. As the last two days of the spell were extremely wet, the River Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Sutlej and Indus burst their banks.

Heavy rainfall recorded during the wet spell of September 2014

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Rainfall exceeding 200 millimetres (7.9 in) that was recorded during the wet spell of September 1 to 5, 2014, in northern Pakistan. This information is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.[35]

City Stations Rainfall (mm) Rainfall (in) Province Notes
Lahore Shahi Qila 557 21.9 Punjab Record-breaking rainfall for the month.
Lahore Misri Shah 539 21.2 Punjab
Lahore Shahdra 538 21.2 Punjab
Sialkot Cantt (city) 523 20.6 Punjab
Lahore Airport 518 20.4 Punjab
Rawalakot 507 20.0 Azad Kashmir
Sialkot Airport 439 17.3 Punjab
Lahore Jail Road 437 17.2 Punjab
Kotli 431 17.0 Azad Kashmir
Lahore Upper Mall 421 16.6 Punjab
Rawalpindi Chaklala (Old Islamabad Airport) 345 13.6 Punjab Record-breaking rainfall for the month.
Mangla 345 13.6 Azad Kashmir
Gujranwala 336 13.2 Punjab
Islamabad Zero Point 331 13.0 Islamabad Capital Territory
Rawalpindi Shamsabad 319 12.6 Punjab
Gujrat 310 12.0 Punjab
Islamabad Saidpur 298 11.7 Islamabad Capital Territory
Okara 293 11.5 Punjab
Dina 284 11.2 Punjab
Murree 262 10.3 Punjab
Faisalabad 228 9.0 Punjab
Rawalpindi Bokra 222 8.7 Punjab
Jhelum 220 8.7 Punjab
Islamabad Golra Sharif 211 8.3 Islamabad Capital Territory

Record-breaking heavy rainfall of September 2012 in Sindh

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After severe drought conditions, which occurred in Sindh during the months of July and August, 2012, an intense low-pressure area developed in the Bay of Bengal. This occurred in late August. The low-pressure area moved towards Sindh, causing torrential rains in Upper Sindh. The highest rainfall to be recorded was in Jacobabad, with a record 481 millimetres (18.9 in) in just 7 days, and 441 millimetres (17.4 in) in just 36 hours. In Larkana, 239 millimetres (9.4 in) of rainfall was recorded; 206 millimetres (8.1 in) of rainfall was recorded in Sukkur. Larkana was the worst affected by heavy rainfall.

Heavy rainfall recorded during the wet spell of September 2012 in Sindh

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Heavy rainfall of more than 200 millimetres (7.9 in) that was recorded during the wet spell of September 5 to 11, 2012, in the province of Sindh, but particularly in Upper Sindh. This information is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.

City Rainfall (mm) Rainfall (in) Monsoon spell Notes
Jacobabad 481 18.9 September 5 to 11 Record-breaking rainfall for the month; 441 mm in just 36 hours.
Larkana 216 8.5 September 5 to 11 Record-breaking rainfall for the month of September.
Sukkur 206 8.1 September 5 to 11 Record-breaking rainfall for the month of September.
Rohri 205 8.0 September 5 to 11 Record-breaking rainfall for the month of September.

Record-breaking torrential rainfall of August and September 2011 in Sindh

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Heavy clouds over Larkana, during the wet spell of September 2011

In the month of July, Pakistan received unusually low monsoon rainfall; however, in August and September, the country received unusually high monsoon rainfall. A strong weather pattern entered Sindh from the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, in August. It gained strength over time and caused a heavy downpour. The first monsoon spell hit the southern parts of Sindh on 10 August. It produced record breaking, widespread, torrential rainfall, and caused floodig in the district of Badin. The second spell hit on 30 August and lasted until 2 September. In the month of September, four more consecutive spells of monsoon rainfall devastated the southern parts of the province. The first spell of September hit the already inundated parts of the province, on 2 September. Thereafter, the second spell hit on 5 September, the third on 9 September, and the fourth on 12 September 2011. The four spells of monsoon rainfall produced even more devastating torrential rains in the already affected areas of Sindh.

Heavy rainfall recorded during the wet spells of August and September 2011 in Sindh

[edit]

Rainfall of exceeding 200 millimetres (7.9 in) that was recorded in the heaviest monsoon spell, in different areas of Sindh province, during the months of August and September, 2011. This table is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.[58][59][60]

City Rainfall (mm) Rainfall (in) Monsoon Spell Notes
Mithi 760 30.0 September 1 to 14 Record-breaking rainfall in Mithi.
Mirpur Khas 603 23.7 September 1 to 14 Record-breaking rainfall in Mirpur Khas.
Padidan 356 14.0 August 30 to September 4 Record-breaking rainfall in Padidan.
Nawabshah 353.2 13.9 September 1 to 14 Record-breaking rainfall in Nawabshah.
Dadu 348.1 13.7 September 1 to 14 Record-breaking rainfall in Dadu.
Badin 302.1 11.8 August 10 to 14 Record-breaking rainfall in Badin.
Chhor 268 10.6 September 1 to 14 Record-breaking rainfall in Chhor.
Hyderabad 244.2 9.6 September 1 to 14
Karachi 212.2 8.3 September 1 to 14
  • September 1 to 14, 2011: four consecutive spells of monsoon rains in Sindh.
  • August 1 to 14, 2011: first spell of monsoon rains in Sindh.
  • August 30 to September 4: second spell of monsoon rains in Sindh.

Record-breaking heavy rainfall of July 2010

[edit]

Unprecedented heavy monsoon rains began, in the last week of July 2010, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir regions of Pakistan, which caused floods in Balochistan and Sindh.[61] The floods that were caused by these monsoon rains, and were forecast to continue into early August, were described as the worst in the last 80 years.[62] The Pakistan Meteorological Department said that over 200 millimetres (7.9 in) of rain fell over a 24-hour period, in a number of places in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, and that more was expected.[63] A record-breaking 274 millimetres (10.8 in) of rain fell in Peshawar in 24 hours;[64] previously 187 millimetres (7.4 in) of rain was recorded in April 2009.[41] Other record-breaking rains were recorded in Risalpur, Cherat, Saidu Sharif, Mianwali, and Kohat regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Heavy rainfall recorded during the wet spell of July 2010

[edit]

Heavy rainfall exceeding 200 millimetres (7.9 in) that was recorded during the four-day wet spell of July 27 to 30, 2010, in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. This table is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department.[39]

City Rainfall (mm) Rainfall (in) Monsoon spell Province
Risalpur 415[B] 16.3 July 27 to 30 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Islamabad 394 15.5 July 27 to 30 Islamabad Capital Territory
Murree 373 14.6 July 27 to 30 Punjab
Cherat 372[B] 14.6 July 27 to 30 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Garhi Dopatta 346 13.6 July 27 to 30 Azad Kashmir
Saidu Sharif 338[B] 13.3 July 27 to 30 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Peshawar 333[B] 13.1 July 27 to 30 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Kamra 308 12.1 July 27 to 30 Punjab
Rawalakot 297 11.7 July 27 to 30 Azad Kashmir
Muzaffarabad 292 11.5 July 27 to 30 Azad Kashmir
Lahore 288 11.3 July 27 to 30 Punjab
Mianwali 271[B] 10.6 July 27 to 30 Punjab
Lower Dir 263 10.3 July 27 to 30 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Kohat 262[B] 10.3 July 27 to 30 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Balakot 256 10.0 July 27 to 30 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Sialkot 255 10.0 July 27 to 30 Punjab
Pattan 242 9.5 July 27 to 30 Azad Kashmir
Dir 231 9.10 July 27 to 30 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Gujranwala 222 8.7 July 27 to 30 Punjab
Dera Ismail Khan 220 8.6 July 27 to 30 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Rawalpindi 219 8.6 July 27 to 30 Punjab

Snowfall

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Pakistan receives snowfall from western disturbances. Between the months of November and February, western disturbances bring snowfall to the more mountainous or hilly areas of Pakistan; the heaviest snowfall occurs in those areas that are farther north, where blizzards are common. In February 2017, at least 14 people were killed and 9 were injured by an avalanche in the Sher Shall area of Chitral district.[65][66]

Heaviest snowfall of 40" or above during 24 hours

[edit]

Record-breaking snowfall in Pakistan that exceeded 40 inches (100 cm), during a 24 hour period. This is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020,[5] along with other sources.

Date Snowfall (in) Snowfall (cm) City or Station Province References
4 February 2013 42 107 Malam Jabba Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [67]

Heaviest snowfall of 20" or above but below 40" during 24 hours

[edit]

Record-breaking snowfall in Pakistan that exceeded 20 inches (51 cm) but did not exceed 40 inches (100 cm), during a 24 hour period. This information is based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, 1931–2020,[5] along with other sources.

Date Snowfall (in) Snowfall (cm) City or Station Province References
4 February 2013 24 60.96 Kalam Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [67]

Wind

[edit]
Date City Wind speed (km/h) Wind speed (mph) Notes References
9 June 2005 Multan 205 126 Duststorm [68][69]
28 March 2001 Bhalwal, Sargodha 193 121 Tornado reported [70]
12 June 1962 Rawalpindi 177 110
13 October 2006 Rawalpindi 176 110 Tornado reported
2 June 2000 Faisalabad 151 94 [69]

Floods

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A NASA satellite image of Pakistan showing flood situation of the river Indus during 2010 Pakistan floods
A NASA satellite image showing the Indus River at the time of 2010 floods

Pakistan has seen many floods. The worst, and most destructive, flooding was the recent 2010 Pakistan floods, which swept away 20% of Pakistan's land. The flood was the result of unprecedented monsoon rains, which lasted from 28 July to 31 July 2010. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and North eastern Punjab were badly affected during the monsoon rains, when dams, rivers and lakes overflowed. By mid-August, according to the governmental Federal Flood Commission (FFC), due to the flooding, at least 1,540 people had died; 2,088 people had received injuries; 557,226 houses had been destroyed; and over 6 million people had been displaced.[71] One month later, the data had been updated to reveal 1,781 deaths, 2,966 people with injuries, and more than 1.89 million homes destroyed.[72] The flood affected more than 20 million people, and exceeded the combined total of the individuals who were affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[73][74] This flood is considered the worst in Pakistan's history, as it affeced people of all four provinces, including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.[75] The climate in Pakistan is very unpredictable and extreme, due to its geographical location, and the geography of the country itself, which includes both tropical plains and the world's highest peaks. Monsoon season can be harsh, due to Pakistan's close proximity with the monsoon areas of India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Myanmar. Floods in the mountainous regions of the country, which cover about 70% of Pakistani land, can experience very dangerous landfalls and avalanches, and the glaciers in the most distant and remote parts of the countries can bring danger to nearby villages.

The 2011 Sindh floods began during the monsoon season in mid-August 2011, resulting from heavy monsoon rains in Sindh, eastern Balochistan, and southern Punjab.[76] These floods have caused considerable damage: an estimated 270 civilians were killed, and 5.3 million people – as well as 1.2 million homes – were affected.[77] Sindh is a fertile region, and is often called the "breadbasket" of the country; the damage and toll of the floods on the local agrarian economy is said to be extensive. At least 1.7 million acres of arable land has been inundated as a result of the flooding.[77] The flooding has been described as the worst since the 2010 Pakistan floods, which devastated the entire country.[77] Unprecedented torrential monsoon rains caused severe flooding in 16 districts of Sindh province.[60]

Other floods that have caused destruction in Pakistan include the flood of 1950, which killed 2,910 people; the flood of 1977, which killed 248 people, in Karachi (according to Pakistan Meteorological Department, 207 millimetres (8.1 in) of rain fell within 24 hours);[78] the flood of 1992, which killed 1,834 people;[citation needed]the flood of 1993, which killed 3,083 people across South Asia, of which fifteen were in Pakistan;[79] the flood of 2003, which killed 178 people; and the flood of 2007, when Cyclone Yemyin submerged lower part of Balochistan Province in sea water, killing 380 people (before that, Cyclone Yemyin killed 213 people in Karachi).

See also

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Notes

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A. ^ Indicates new record. Record-breaking extreme heat wave observed in the plain areas of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan where 50 °C (122 °F) or more was observed in 12 cities between 22 and 27 May 2010. Previous extreme heat wave conditions were observed in 1998, 2002 and 2007.
B. ^ Indicates new record. Record-breaking monsoon rains observed during the month of July, 2010 in northeastern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir.

References

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