Iran to Afghanistan, Pakistan to face new round of dangerous thunderstorms this week
Thunderstorms killed at least 35 people and left behind widespread damage, government officials said Wednesday. The storms packed a punch with fierce winds and lightning gripping the area.
On the heels of the deadly severe weather early last week, a new storm threatens to spark violent thunderstorms from Iran to Afghanistan and Pakistan early this week.
The Middle East has been pounded this spring with deadly thunderstorms and flooding. More than three dozen people were killed when severe weather struck Pakistan early last week.
Lives were also lost in Afghanistan, pushing the death toll from rounds of flooding rain since March past 130, according to Anadolu Agency. Weeks of flooding have claimed 70 people in Iran, CNN reported.
Monday into Wednesday will bring another threat to lives and property across the Middle East.
"A new storm impacting Turkey this weekend will bring the increasing risk for isolated severe thunderstorms from central Iran to Pakistan Monday into Wednesday," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk.
The violent thunderstorms will be capable of producing strong wind gusts, hail, downpours and frequent lightning. Localized flash flooding and mudslides can be triggered.
Dust storms can also be kicked up ahead of any rain, putting motorists at risk for chain-reaction accidents.
"The severe thunderstorms will threaten areas southwest to northeast across central and eastern Iran on Monday, then into Afghanistan on Tuesday and Wednesday," Houk added.
Tuesday's severe weather threat will also encompass communities over the Afghan borders into neighboring Turkmenistan, as well as western Pakistan.
By Wednesday, northeastern Afghanistan, including Kabul, may continue to face severe thunderstorms, when the risk area can also spread to Islamabad, Pakistan.
Afghan drivers pass through floodwaters as heavy rain falls in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, April 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
Following a very stormy winter and start to spring, a period of more tranquil weather is expected from Iran into Pakistan from late this week into early next week.
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