QUARTERLY

PMD NEWS BULLETIN

Volume XI, Issue I January-March 2011

METEOROLOGICAL PAKISTAN METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT

PROMOTION OF MR. ARIF MAHMOOD AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF PAKISTAN METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT

The Federal Central Selection Board has promoted Mr. Arif Mahmood, Chief Meteorologist (BS-20) to the post of Director General (BS-21) of Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the national weather, climate and seismology service of Pakistan. He has been serving as Deputy to the Director General PMD since January 2006 and officiating as Acting Besides this, under the influence of these weather sysDirector General of PMD since 13th tems, moderate to heavy rain, with snow over the hills, September, 2010. He is the most exwas recorded. perienced and senior most officer of the National Meteorological Service. Chief amounts of precipitation recorded by different stations, during February, 2011 was as under:-

thundershowers with a few moderate to heavy falls. snowfall occurred, over a few days during February 2011 and on a number of days in March 2011. Due to the strong Western Disturbance, a heavy and rare hailstorm occurred in Lahore on 26th February 2011. Due to the strong pressure gradient and temperature contrast, a high intensity dust storm/whirlwind lashed three villages in Sialkot Teshil on 19th March 2011. According to press reports, four people were dead and more than 45 injured. Many houses were collapsed and a lot of destruction occurred due to this high intensity dust storm/ whirlwind.

Mr. Airf Mahmood started his career in PMD as a Meteorologist in December, 1978 after doing his MasCHIEF AMOUNT OF RAINFALL: ter's in Physics from the University of Punjab, Lahore. Later, he completed various courses in Meteorology and Station Rainfall Station Rainfall did his Postgraduate studies in Seismology from Japan 391.5mm Malamjabba 101.5mm in 1986. He also participated in the First Pakistan Mis- Pattan sion to Antarctica, which was carried out from Decem- Dir 369.0mm Kalam 49.5mm ber, 1990 to February, 1991. He did his M.S. in Defence Rawalakot 328.0mm Astore 60.1mm & Strategic Studies from National Defence University, Garhidupatta 319.0mm Babusar 83.0mm Islamabad in 2008. Pattan 213.0mm Parachenar 187.6mm Kalam 183.0mm Balakot 174.9mm He is the author of around 20 research papers and articles. He has been the Project Director of Wind Potential Survey along Sindh-Makran coast. He has rep- WINTER (JAN-MAR) 2011 PRECIPITATION resented Pakistan in several international scientific OVER PAKISTAN meetings and conferences and delivered keynote lectures. He is also a member of various scientific committees at national level and also the chairman of World During the (Jan-Mar) quarter 2011, slightly above-normal Meteorological Organization (WMO) Working Group on (10.2 %) precipitation was observed over Pakistan. DurWMO Information System and integrated Observing ing the period, under review, high temporal and spatial System (WG-IOS/WIS). variable Precipitation has been observed. Excessive rainfall (106%) was recorded during the month of February while large deficits of rainfall were observed in the months of January and March, -78% and -15% respecCURRENT WEATHER REPORT tively. While viewing the rainfall distribution on province Ten westerly low-pressure waves passed across the basis, it was found that over Punjab, it was slightly below country during the quarter January-March 2011. Under -normal (-23%), over Khyber-PK, close to normal (3%), the influence of these weather systems, rain/ over Balochistan, it was moderately below-normal

VOLUME XI, ISSUE I

(38%), while province of Sindh received slightly-above normal (18%).

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Station
Geographical Co-ordinates

Quetta (Pakistan)
Latitude 30.19o N Longitude 66.95o E 22.28o N

Geomagnetic Co-ordinates

Latitude

Longitude 141.97o E

Elevation

1737 Meters

62 E

64 E

66 E

68 E

70 E

72 E

74 E

76 E

January-March Precipitation (mm)

36 N

Departure from Normal (1971-2000)

Hill Station Plain Station

Gupis Chitral Drosh Dir Kalam Patan

Hunza Gilgit Chilas Bunji Astore Babusar

CHINA
36 N Skardu

Month of year
200

Mean Vertical Intensity

34942.235 35268.226 34678.056

Saidu SharifMalam Jaba Balakot Kakul GhariMuzaffarabad Dupatta PeshawarRisalpur Cherat Kamra Murree Rawalakot Islamabad Kotli Kohat Dhamial Mangala Jhelum Mianwali Mundi B.D. Jouharabad Noorpurthal Sargodha D.I.Khan Zhob Jhang Faisalabad Rafiqui Quetta Multan D.G.Khan Bhawalpur Sahiwal Okara Sialkot

January, 2011 February,2011 March, 2011

34 N

Parachinar

34 N

160 120 80
32 N

Bannu

32 N

Lahore

60 40 20

30 N Sibi Dalbandin Kalat

Barkhan

Bahawalnagar

30 N

0 -20 -40
28 N

Nokkundi

Khanpur R.Y.Khan Jacobabad Khuzdar SukkarRohri Larkana Moenjodaro Padidan Dadu Lasbella Nawabshah 26 N Ormara Mir Pur Khas Chhor Hyderabad Karachi Thatta

28 N

I R A N
Panjgur

-60 -80 -120 -160

26 N

Turbat Jiwani Gwadar Pasni

ACTIVITIES AT NATIONAL SEISMIC MONITORING AND TSUNAMI EARLY WARNING CENTRE, KARACHI.
National Seismic Monitoring and Tsunami Early Warning Centre (NSMC &TEWC), Karachi participated in the IOTWS Communication Test on 16th March 2011. The Objectives of the test were to:

ARABIAN SEA
24 N 62 E 64 E 66 E 68 E

Badin Mithi 24 N 70 E 72 E 74 E 76 E

ACTIVITIES AT G.C. QUETTA

OZONE LAYER MONITORING

i.

Ozone Layer Monitoring continued regularly at Ozone Layer Monitoring Station, Quetta. No significant change has been observed over Pakistan during the quarter, ii. under review The value ranged between 260-280, Dobson units. iii.

Validate the Regional Tsunami Warning (RTWP) (India, Indonesia and Australia) dissemination process for Tsunami Bulletin Notification messages to National Tsunami Warning Centre (NTWC) Validate the reception of the notification messages. Validate the access by NTWCs to RTWP password-protected web sites. Validate the reporting by NTWCs of the National Warning Status information.

GEOMAGNETIC OBSERVATION:

iv.

The following are the details of vertical intensities, recorded during the quarter under review: Tsunami Early Warning Centre, Karachi, received the

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PMD NEWS BULLETIN

bulletins of RTWP (India) through GTS, and through email from RTWP (Australia.) No bulletin was received from RTWP, Indonesia through any means. However, the web-site of all the three RTWPs were accessible. A complete communication test log was sent to IOC at the end of the test.

EARTHQUAKES:
A total number of 790 earth quakes were recorded by the Seismological Network of Pakistan Meteorological Department, during the quarter (1st January to 31st March 2011) TSUNAMI: . The NSM & TEWC, Karachi, issued Tsunami TOTAL NUMBER OF EARTHQUAKES Information Bulletins, for the following three events, durRECORDED DURING THE QUARTER ing the quarter. 1156 (JAN-MARCH, 2011) NUMBER OF EARTHQUAKES LOCATED Origin No Ocean/ Date Mg GenerIN PAKISTAN/NEIGHBOURING RE153 ated Region Time GIONS (Graph Below) or not NUMBER OF PRESS RELEASES IS50 HH:MM SUED (PST) NUMBER OF EARTHQUAKES FELT IN 11 1 PACIFIC 13-01-11 21:17 7.1 Not PAKISTAN (Vanuatu Gener2 Islands) PACIFIC (Eastern Honshu, Japan) PACIFIC (Eastern Honshu, Japan) 09-03-11 07:45 7.2 ated Generated

11-03-11

10:46

8.7

Generated

ACTIVITIES AT DROUGHT MONITORING CENTRE, ISLAMABAD

New Drought Monitoring Tools/Techniques used by NDMC, during this period, were as follows: Cumulative Precipitation Anomaly (CPA).

1. 2.

Percent of Actual to Normal Rainfall Percentage Departure of Rainfall on 1,2,3,6 & 12 Months Basis

3.

Soil Moisture Anomaly

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ACTIVITIES AT R&D DIVISION, ISLAMABAD

I. Eleven (11) Scientific Research Paper were contributed by the Scientists of the Research & Development of Pakistan Meteorological Department, and were published in the Journal Of Meteorology, Pakistan. II. Dr. Ghulam Rasul, Chief Meteorologist, attended the International Conference Flood 2010: A Dialogue to transform Devastation to opportunity, (21-22 March, 2011), and delivered a talk besides acting as a panelist.

ACTIVITIES AT INSTITUTE OF METEOROLOGY & GEOPHYSICS (IMG), KARACHI

1. Preliminary Meteorology Course, including 03 PAF- trainees, has been started on 14-01-2011. 2. 13th Primary Meteorology Course, for PAF trainees, started on 21-02-2011.

W.M.O DAY CELEBRATED AT IMG

Several retried officers of PMD and serving officers/ officials attended the celebrations on March 23, 2011. Mr. Abdul Rashid, Director IMG, delivered his welcome address and briefed the guests about the theme of the day i.e. Climate for You. The Acting Chief Meteorologist, Mr. Naeem Shah briefed the guests about the recent developments in the department. The Chief Guest, S.A.A. Kazmi, (Retired D.G. Met.S.) delivered a very comprehensive and useful lecture about the theme.
The maps are available on http://www.pakmet.com.pk/ndmc/index.htm are.

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PMD NEWS BULLETIN

2011. Mr. Naeem Shah, Director (BS-19) attended a Workshop for WMO Information and Public Affairs Focal Point of Regional Association VI and Regional Focal points of other Region at Krakow, Poland from 09-11 March, 2011 Dr. Muhammad Hanif, Director (BS-19) attended the TCC Training Seminar on Application of Seasonal Forecast GPV Data to Seasonal Forecast Products at Tokyo, Japan during 18-21 Jan, 2011. Mr. Sarfaraz, Director (BS-19) attended the 2nd Advisory Workshop on Enhancing Forecasting Capabilities for North Indian Ocean Storm Surges, at New Dehli, India, from 11-15 Feb, 2011. Mr. Muhammad Aslam, Senior Meteorologist (BS-18) attended the WMO Coordinating Group of the RA-II Pilot Project to Develop Support for NMHSs in Satellite Data, Products and Training at Tokyo, Japan from 21-23 Feb, 2011. Mr. Ata Hussain, Deputy Director (BS-18) attended the Thirty-eight Session of the WMO/ ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclone at New Delhi, India from 21-25 Feb, 2011 Mr. Ikram Uddin, Senior Meteorologist (BS-18) attended a Workshop on Improvement of Weather-Services for the Societal Development at Kathmandu (Nepal) from 12-11 Feb, 2011. Mr. Muhammad Aleem-ul Hassan, Deputy Director (BS-18) attended a JICA Country Focused Training on Local Emergency Operation plan with Flood Hazrad Map in Japan, from 18-022011. M/s Mukhtar Ahmed Magsi, Meteorologist (BS17), Karam Khan, Meteorologist (BS-17) and Muhammad Wajid Amin Gill, Assistant Meteorologist (BS-16) attended the Follow-up Meeting of JICA Training Course on Earthquake, Tsunami and Eruption at Cebu, Philippine on 18-02 -2011. Mr. Muhammad Zahid Abbas, Professional Assistant (BS-13), attended the JICA Group Training Course on Operating Management of Earthquake, Tsunami and Volcano Eruption Observation System at Tokyo, Japan from 05-072010 to 31-03-2011.

The Chief Guest, S.A.A. Kazmi, (Retired D.G. Met.S.), along with ChiefMet. Mr. Naeem Shah and Dir IMG Mr. Abdul Rashid inaugurate WMO Day Celebration

The Chief Guest, S.A.A. Kazmi, (Retired D.G. Met.S.), addressing the gathering on W.M.O. Day at I.M.G., Karachi.

Chief Guest, along with Mr. Naeem Shah (Chief Meteorologist) visiting the exhibition held at I.M.G., Karachi

TRAININGS / VISITS ABROAD

Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry Advisor, (Met. & Climate Affairs) attended the Thirty Eighth Session of the WMO/ ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones, at New Dehli, India from 21-25 Feb,

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PAGE 6

NATIONAL MANAGEMENT COURSE

M/s Hazrat Mir, Chief Meteorologist and Dr. Ghulam Rasul, Chief Meteorologist, attended and successfully completed the 93rd National Management Course at National Management College, Lahore.

Mr. Hazrat Mir, Chief Met., attended the meeting held in the office of Chief Engineer Advisor/ Chairman, Federal Flood Commission, Islamabad on 07-03-2011 regarding Review Design Criteria of Flood Works and SOP of Barrages. Mr. Nasir Ali Baig, Deputy Director, G.C Quetta, attended a meeting on Balochistan Consultative Meeting on National Climate held on 11-012011, organized by Planning & Development (P&D), Department Balochistan.

LOCAL VISITS

Mr. Muhammad Tauseef Alam, Director, RMC, Karachi, proceeded on tour to SAARC, Hyderabad, RAMC, Tandojam, Agromet Larkana, MISCELLANEOUS POINTS / MATTERS Aeromet, Moenjodaro, and Aeromet Sukkur. He conducted one day Agromet Training on 06-012011 at RAMC, Tandojam. The faulty SODAR Laptop has been replaced with new one. The system is now under test. Syed Mushtaq Ali Shah, Director R.M.C., Pesha- war proceeded on tour to Balakot during 07-28 February 2011 for monitoring the project activities regarding reconstruction of Met. Observatory building at the site. Some of the faulty AWS loggers are being sent to Korea, for necessary repair.

The installation of earth and necessary electric fittings, including industrial standard sockets has been completed at the Glass room constructed for HPCC and Online Data Storage. Four days Introductory Training Workshop was conducted from 28-31 March, 2011 at FFD, Lahore. Wapda officers from Tarbela Dam, Mangala Dam and Chashma Barrage attended the Workshop. Mr. Hazrat Mir, Chief Meteorologist and Mr. Muhammad Ajmal Shad, Director delivered lectures to make the participants familiar with the common Meteorological terms / techniques, used in Weather Forecasting, position of seasonal low and tracking of monsoon low/depression. A meeting was convened by the DirectorGeneral, Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Punjab in the office of Mr. Hazrat Mir, Chief Met., FFD, Lahore on 29-03-2011 to discuss the matters regarding Arrangement to be made by India for relaying Advance Information about Flood Flows to Pakistan during the flood Season2011 (1st July to 10th October, 2011).

Mr. Muhammad Tauseef Alam, Director RMC Ka- rachi attended a meeting on 17-03-2011 at Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi regarding Community Based Disaster Risk Management Project implemented jointly by FOCUS and JICA. Syed Mushtaq Ali Shah, Director, R.M.C. Peshawar, attended Workshop on Science and Technology Issues on Climate Change at COMSTECH Secretariat, Constitution Avenue G-5/2, Islamabad, during 21-22 March 2011.

SEMINARS / MEETINGS / WORKSHOPS

Director, R.M.C Lahore, Mr. Sahibzad Khan visited Meteorological Headquarters Office, Islamabad and attended SAARC Workshop from 21-24 March 2011. Mr. Hazrat Mir, Chief Meteorologist, has attended the Post Flood Meeting of Federal Flood Commission, held on 31-01-2011, under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Water & Power at his office in Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad.

RECRUITMENT
On having been recruited by FPSC, Islamabad, Mr. Azhar Ali, Assistant Programmer (BS-16), has joined his duty on 01-01-2011 at G.C Quetta.

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PMD NEWS BULLETIN

PROMOTION
Nil

OBITUARY
Mr. Muhammad Ramzan, Balloon Maker (MO, Badin) expired on 08-03-2011.

RESIGNATION

The following officer/officials resigned from Govt. L.P.R. Service, during the quarter:M/s. M/s.

i. Saleem Iqbal, Electronic Engineer (BS-17) (Director Maintenance Karachi) w.e.f. 09-02 2011. Umair Ahmed, Sub Engineer (BS-13) RMC, Karachi w.e.f. 05-01-2011. Adeel Liaquat Ali, Met. Assistant (BS-12) RMC, Karachi w.e.f. 01-02-2011 Shahid Nadeem, Met. Asstt. (BS-12) RMC, Lahore w.e.f. 01-01-2011. Khalil Ahmed, Met. Asstt. (BS-12) RMC, Karachi w.e.f. 05-01-2011. Muhammad Ali, Senior Observer (BS-07) RMC Lahore w.e.f. 12-02-2011.

Mukhtaruddin, Met. (BS-17) M.O. Karachi Airport, during 10-03-2011 to 09.03.2012. Shah Jehan, Coolie, (BS-02) G.C. Quetta during 31-01-2011 to 30-01-2012.

ii. iii. iv. v. vi.

Abdul Sattar, Balloon Maker. G.C. Quetta w.e.f. 01-01-2011 to 31-12-2011. Abdul Sattar, Balloon Maker, P.B.O Dalbandin, is on LP.R w.e.f 01-02-2011 to 31-01-2012.

RETIREMENT
The following officers/officials proceeded on retirement/ encashment during the quarter, w.e.f. the dates as mentioned against their names:M/s.

Muhammad Shafiq Ahmed, Assistant Programmer retired on 03-03-2011.

Allah Dino, Balloon Maker (Pilot Balloon Observatory, Jacobabad) retired on 01-022011.

TERMINATION
Nil

Vol. XI No. I Pakistan Meteorological Department Quarterly News Bulletin January March, 2011 Compiled & Printed by Director (F&C), Pakistan Meteorological Department, University Road, Karachi-75270.