pakistan meteorological department

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 Understanding the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD)

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) is the national authority responsible for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and disaster early warning in Pakistan. Operating under the Ministry of Defence, PMD plays a crucial role in safeguarding lives, property, and the economy by providing timely and accurate meteorological information.

Organizational Structure and Leadership

In 2025, PMD is undergoing significant leadership transitions. Mahr Sahibzad Khan completed his one-year re-employment tenure as Director General on March 31, 2025. As of mid-June, the Ministry of Defence has not yet appointed a new DG, leading to concerns among meteorological scientists about the continuity of leadership and the department's modernization efforts.

Weather Patterns and Climate Challenges

In early 2025, Pakistan experienced unprecedented heatwave conditions. Cities like Shaheed Benazirabad in Sindh recorded temperatures soaring to 50°C, nearly 8.5°C above the April average. This early onset of extreme heat is attributed to human-driven climate change and is becoming a "new normal," with experts warning of escalating climate risks. 

Additionally, PMD issued a drought alert in January 2025, highlighting a 40% deficit in rainfall from September 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025. Provinces like Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab were most affected, with rainfall deficits of 52%, 45%, and 42%, respectively. These conditions have led to concerns about water scarcity and crop failures.

LAHORE:

Widespread dust storms and scattered rain are expected across much of upper and central Punjab this weekend, bringing temporary relief from the intense heat that has gripped the region in recent weeks.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Saturday that a westerly weather system currently moving across the country is likely to continue influencing weather patterns through Monday.

While most of Punjab will continue to experience hot and dry weather during the day, isolated areas — particularly in Murree, Galliyat, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad and surrounding districts — could see dust storms and thundershowers. Kashmir is also likely to receive scattered rainfall and thunderstorms.

By Sunday, the weather is expected to remain warm and partly cloudy across most districts, but the chance of dust storms and rain will spread to additional areas, including Gujranwala, Sargodha, Bhakkar, and Jhang. The PMD also noted the possibility of hail in some places during the period, especially in upper Punjab and Kashmir.

In the last 24 hours, several areas in Punjab reported light rainfall. Gujrat recorded the highest rainfall at 11.6 millimetress, followed by Mangla with 5.8 and Sialkot Airport with 3.8 millimeters. Light showers were also reported in Murree, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Bahawalpur. Despite these scattered showers, most districts in the province remained hot and dry. Temperatures continued to soar, with Bahawalnagar recording the highest maximum temperature in Punjab at 49 degrees Celsius, while Murree remained the coolest at 17 degrees.

Technological Advancements and International Collaborations

To enhance its forecasting capabilities, PMD has adopted 13 recommended models to obtain multi-model ensembles for seasonal predictions. This initiative aims to improve the accuracy of agro-climate outlooks for the period of February-April 2025. 

Furthermore, PMD has finalized an agreement with Japan for the procurement and installation of 45 telemetry stations and five automatic weather stations. This project, estimated at Rs5.2 billion, is expected to strengthen flood forecasting and weather monitoring systems, with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Public Engagement and Digital Tools (2025 Update)

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has made significant strides in recent years to improve public awareness, transparency, and accessibility of weather-related information through digital platforms. In the face of rising climate threats, timely and widespread dissemination of information is crucial. Here's how PMD is connecting with the public in 2025:

🌐 1. Official Website (www.pmd.gov.pk)

PMD’s official website serves as the central hub for real-time weather data, forecasts, alerts, and research publications. Key features include:

  • Daily weather updates by city and region

  • Severe weather alerts (heatwaves, storms, floods, droughts)

  • Climate outlooks and seasonal forecasts

  • Earthquake reports and seismic data

  • Radar imagery and satellite weather maps

  • Access to agrometeorological services for farmers

The site is regularly updated and designed for both general public use and specialized sectors like aviation, agriculture, and disaster management.

📲 2. Mobile Applications

To meet the growing need for information on-the-go, PMD supports several mobile apps:

a) PMD Weather App

  • Offers live weather forecasts for all major cities

  • Push notifications for early warnings

  • Radar and satellite images

  • Available in Urdu and English

b) Pak Weather

  • Third-party app supported by PMD data

  • Custom weather alerts, rain tracking, and temperature predictions

  • Agricultural advisory content for rural users

These apps are crucial during extreme weather events such as heatwaves, monsoons, and flash floods, ensuring people get alerts in real time.

📢 3. Social Media Platforms

PMD is active on major social media channels to quickly communicate urgent updates:

  • Twitter/X (@pmdgov) – Used for official warnings, public safety tips, and data sharing with media

  • Facebook (PMD Pakistan) – Posts graphics, forecasts, and educational content

  • YouTube – Occasionally used to post weather bulletins and training videos

This engagement allows PMD to reach a broader, tech-savvy audience including journalists, NGOs, and students.

🧑‍🌾 4. Farmer and Community Outreach

Through regional offices and collaborations with agricultural departments, PMD provides:

  • Weekly agro-weather bulletins

  • SMS alerts in rural languages (via partnerships with telecom providers)

  • Training sessions on using climate information for crop planning

This service helps farmers make decisions about irrigation, planting, and harvesting, especially in climate-sensitive areas like Balochistan and Sindh.

📡 5. Collaborations with Media and Private Sector

PMD works closely with:

  • TV and Radio stations – for daily weather forecasts

  • Digital news platforms – to distribute seasonal and disaster alerts

  • Private developers – to integrate PMD data into mobile tools, smart farming systems, and emergency planning apps

🛠️ Future Plans

As of 2025, PMD aims to expand its digital footprint with:

  • More automated weather stations (AWS) linked to cloud platforms

  • Upgraded GIS-based warning systems

  • AI-driven forecast models

  • A citizen science platform for real-time weather observations by the public

By leveraging technology, PMD is helping Pakistan move toward a more climate-resilient and informed society, ensuring that weather data reaches people when and where it matters most.


📍 Contact Information

For more details or inquiries, visit the official PMD website: pmd.gov.pk

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