Thunderstorms, hail likely in upper parts as intense heat grips southern Pakistan

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast mainly hot and dry weather across most parts of the country on Thursday, with very hot conditions expected to persist in southern regions during daytime.
While rain-windstorms and thunderstorms are likely to affect upper parts of the country.
According to the Met Office, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Pothohar region, Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas are expected to receive rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms.
Isolated hailstorms and heavy downpours may also occur during the period.
In Islamabad and surrounding areas, partly cloudy weather with rain-windstorms, thunderstorms and isolated hailstorms is expected.
The Met Office said a fresh spell of unstable weather may affect several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Dir, Swat, Malam Jabba, Kohistan, Bajaur, Kalam, Chitral, Buner, Kohat, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Malakand, Parachinar, Kurram, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Karak and Waziristan, where gusty winds, thunderstorms and isolated heavy falls are likely.
Punjab is expected to remain mainly hot and dry; however, partly cloudy weather with dust-thunderstorms and rain is likely in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Attock, Murree, Galiyat, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Noorpur Thal, Khushab, Mianwali and Bhakkar. Isolated hailstorms may also occur in these areas.
Sindh will continue to experience hot and dry weather, while upper districts are likely to remain under severe heatwave conditions.
In Balochistan, mainly hot and dry weather is expected in most districts. However, northern areas including Zhob, Sibi, Barkhan and Musakhel may witness rain-windstorms and thunderstorms during afternoon hours, with chances of isolated hailstorms.
Cloudy weather with intermittent rain and thunderstorms is likely in Gilgit-Baltistan, while Kashmir may experience partly cloudy conditions with isolated rain and thunderstorms. Heavy rainfall and hailstorms are also expected at isolated places in Kashmir.
During the last 24 hours, hot and dry weather prevailed over most parts of the country, while central and southern districts remained under intense heat. However, rain-windstorms and thunderstorms were reported from isolated areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Barkhan.
According to rainfall data, Upper Dir received the highest rainfall of 20 millimetres, followed by Mirkhani 17mm, Kalam 16mm, Drosh 13mm and Bannu 12mm. In Gilgit-Baltistan, Gilgit recorded 12mm rainfall, while Bunji and Chilas received 9mm each.
The highest maximum temperatures recorded in the country were 47 degrees Celsius in Dadu, Jacobabad, Mohenjo Daro and Shaheed Benazirabad, while Larkana and Sakrand recorded 46 degrees Celsius.
The Met Office said maximum temperatures recorded in major cities included 45C in Lahore, 44C in Faisalabad and Multan, 42C in Islamabad, 40C in Peshawar and 36C in Karachi.