The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an alert that heavy rain, strong winds, thunderstorms and the possibility of hailstorms will affect Lahore and a number of districts across Punjab within the next 24 hours, beginning this evening and lasting into tomorrow morning.

According to the latest forecast, rain bands moving in from the western Himalayas are expected to bring downpours of up to 40 mm in the capital and as much as 60 mm in low‑lying districts such as Kasur, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala. Wind gusts could reach 55‑65 km/h, especially in the eastern plains, while isolated hail is likely in the northern parts of the province.

The PMD cautioned that the weather will remain unsettled throughout the period, urging residents to secure loose objects, avoid non‑essential travel and stay tuned to local alerts. Flood‑prone neighborhoods in Lahore, particularly around the Ravi and Bari rivers, are at heightened risk of waterlogging, and authorities have already deployed emergency response teams to monitor drainage systems.

Transport agencies have announced possible disruptions on major highways, including the M‑2 and M‑4 motorways, as well as on intra‑city bus routes. Railway services between Lahore and Rawalpindi may experience delays, and the civil aviation authority has warned of reduced visibility at Allama Iqbal International Airport during the peak of the thunderstorms.

The warning comes at a time when the monsoon season is entering its peak phase, and recent climate data show an upward trend in the intensity of short‑duration rain events across the Indus basin. Such sudden, heavy showers can aggravate already saturated soils, threatening crops in the Punjab heartland and increasing the likelihood of flash floods in rural areas.

Local government officials in Lahore have instructed municipal crews to pre‑emptively clear clogged drains and to position sandbags in vulnerable zones. Schools in the affected districts have been advised to keep classes suspended if rainfall exceeds 30 mm in an hour, in line with the province’s emergency education protocol.

Residents are urged to keep mobile phones charged, have basic emergency supplies on hand, and follow updates from the PMD, the National Disaster Management Authority and local news outlets until the weather stabilises.