The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a weather advisory covering June 16-20, 2026, warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, hailstorms, and isolated windstorms across large parts of Pakistan. The advisory covers Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, upper and central Sindh, parts of Balochistan, and Kashmir. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has separately forecast a dust storm and rain system moving in from the west, with temperatures set to drop sharply after June 20.
The week ahead at a glance
The advisory follows a sustained heatwave that affected central and southern Pakistan through May and early June, with temperatures touching 47°C in parts of southern Punjab. The shift is driven by a westerly weather system combined with pre-monsoon moisture, which is the typical pattern for the pre-monsoon storm window in mid-June.
Regional breakdown
Punjab and Islamabad: Widespread rain and thunderstorms are expected from June 16 through June 20, with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms in some districts. Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, and Gujranwala divisions are likely to see the most intense activity. The PMD has advised farmers to take protective measures for standing crops, particularly wheat harvesting in some northern districts and mango orchards in southern Punjab.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hailstorms are forecast across most districts, with the risk of flash floods in streams and nullahs in upper districts including Swat, Dir, Chitral, Mansehra, and the Hazara division. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has been put on alert, and residents in low-lying areas have been advised to remain vigilant.
Sindh: Upper and central Sindh are expected to see dust storms, thunderstorms, and rain, with Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Hyderabad divisions most affected. Karachi and the coastal belt are likely to see pre-monsoon showers with humid conditions, but the main monsoon onset is expected later in the season. The heatwave alert from earlier in the season has now been replaced with these storm warnings.
Balochistan: Isolated rain, thunderstorms, and dust storms are forecast for Quetta, Zhob, Kalat, and Sibi divisions. The Met Office has advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel in mountainous areas where landslides are possible.
Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan: Heavy rain is expected across both regions, with a particular risk of landslides in hilly terrain. Tourists in Naran, Kaghan, Hunza, and Skardu have been advised to monitor local weather updates and avoid travel during heavy-rain windows.
The temperature shift after June 20
The most consequential change in the forecast is the temperature drop expected after June 20. The PMD has indicated that daytime highs in central and southern Pakistan, which have been running 8-10°C above normal for the past month, will fall back toward seasonal averages. For Karachi, this means a return to the 33-36°C range from the 40°C+ readings of recent weeks. For Lahore, daytime highs will fall from 42-44°C toward 36-38°C.
Safety advice during the advisory window
The NDMA and PDMAs have issued the following practical advice for the June 16-20 window:
- Avoid travel during heavy-rain periods, particularly in mountainous terrain where landslides are a risk.
- Do not shelter under trees or metal structures during thunderstorms. Move indoors at the first sign of lightning.
- Keep emergency supplies ready in case of localised flooding or power outages. A basic kit should include water, torch, first-aid supplies, and a charged phone with power bank.
- Farmers should harvest mature crops in advance of the storm window where possible, and protect young plants with available covers.
- Commuters in urban centres should expect road flooding in low-lying areas. Avoid driving through accumulated water, particularly in underpasses and stormwater drains.
- Tourists in northern areas should check local weather updates before any travel plan, and avoid riverside or streamside camping.
What the weather means for the broader season
The pre-monsoon storms in mid-June are typically a precursor to the main monsoon, which is expected to set in across Pakistan in the second half of June to early July. The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s seasonal outlook, updated in May, had forecast slightly above-normal monsoon rainfall for the 2026 season, with the strongest activity expected in July and August. The early storm window is consistent with that outlook.
For the broader economy, the shift from heatwave to rain has a number of effects. Construction and outdoor work can resume at normal pace. Energy demand for cooling falls, which provides some relief to the grid. Agricultural activity accelerates. The wider cost-of-living pressure, which has been amplified by the heatwave, eases somewhat. The 2026 cost-of-living backdrop includes the heatwave effect, which the rain should partially reverse.
How to stay updated
The Pakistan Meteorological Department issues updated forecasts every 12 hours, with district-level warnings published as conditions evolve. The NDMA’s National Emergency Operations Centre is the primary coordination hub during active weather events. Both publish updates through their official channels and through provincial disaster management authorities.
For travel decisions, our summer vacation guide for Punjab and northern areas includes practical advice on which destinations are most weather-sensitive, and our weekend getaway guide is a useful reference for planning trips around weather windows.
Frequently asked questions
Sources: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), Business Recorder, Dawn, Tribune, NDMA Instagram advisory. Forecast details are subject to 12-hourly updates from PMD.
