LAHORE - Above normal monsoon rainfall and early snow melting due to excessive heating in upper parts are likely to fill reservoirs to capacity which is a good omen for hydel generation and agriculture.
Inflow at major reservoirs, Mangla and Tarbela, has already increased as high temperature in upper parts has caused early snow melting.
“Temperature at Gilgit, Skaudu, Hunza and other hilly areas has crossed 30 degree Celsius which is resulting into snow melting. As such flow in Indus and Chenab has increased and water level at Mangla and Tarbela is rising. As impact of snow melting reaches reservoirs in a week or so, inflow will increase further in coming days. Outflow at Tarbela has already been reduced as River Kabul is in high flood at Charsada due to excessive snow melting over hills”, said meteorological expert Shaukat Awan, adding, snow melting would be above normal this summer as temperature over hills would increase further in coming days.
Experts are also expecting normal to above normal rainfall this monsoon which is good news for the nation facing severe water shortage for agriculture purposes in addition to less hydel generation due to low water level and resultant less outflow at both the reservoirs, Mangla and Tarbela.
“Monsoon rains have already started in India. Excessive heating in Balochistan and plains of Punjab is likely to give more intense rains this monsoon. High temperature in Balochistan usually pulls monsoon system that results into above normal rains during the rainy season. Intensity of rains in India suggests that rainfall would be above normal over monsoon belt in Pakistan”, Shaukat Awan said.
“In Pakistan, monsoon rains normally start in first week of July. But excessive heating, like this summer, can result into pre monsoon rains. As a rain giving system is approaching the country by June 12, good rains are expected over monsoon belt in Pakistan. These will be pre monsoon rains as proper rainy season in Pakistan starts in first week of July. These rains will be heavy as first and last monsoon rains are always intense”, he said.
“Above normal monsoon rains and snow melting will ensure availability of enough water at reservoirs for power generation and agriculture purposes. Both Mangla and Tarbela are likely to reach maximum conservation level till August 15”, Shaukat Awan said, adding, level at a reservoir could be enhanced by only five feet per day as any attempt to store more water could prove disastrous for the structure.
Forecast
Plains of the country remained in the grip of severe heat wave on Saturday with frequent outages adding to the woes of heat stricken people.
People avoided unnecessarily coming out, reducing traffic on otherwise busy roads at noon and in the afternoon.
On Saturday, Noorpur Thal remained the hottest place in the country where mercury rose as high as 50 degree Celsius. In Lahore, maximum and minimum temperature was recorded 45 C and 28 C respectively. Relative humidity in the evening was recorded 19 per cent.
Lahore Canal, as usual, attracted a large number of people including women and children. Not only youths but also elderly people were seen bathing in the canal water. At certain places even women were seen beating the heat by taking a dip in the mud coloured canal water. Presence of such a large number of people on both sides of the canal hampered smooth vehicular movement in the heart of the city.
According to the experts, seasonal low lies over West Balochistan and adjoining areas with its trough extending eastward.
Experts have predicted the prevailing harsh weather conditions to persist during the next couple of days as no significant rain giving system is approaching the country.