ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain and thunderstorms across the country from March 24 to March 30, warning of heavy downpours, hailstorms and possible flash floods in several regions as a strong weather system moves in.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Met Office said, “A western disturbance is likely to approach southwestern parts of Balochistan on March 24 (evening/night) and likely to intensify from the night of March 27 and may persist till March 31.”
Under the influence of this system, varying intensities of rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected across all provinces, with certain areas likely to experience heavy falls, snowfall over hills and isolated hailstorms.
In Balochistan, the PMD said “rain-wind/thunderstorm with few heavy falls (with isolated hailstorm) is expected in Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Makran Coast (Gawadar, Pasni, Ormara) Lasbela, Khuzdar, Kharan, Chaghi, Dalbandin, Kalat, Sibi, Kohlu, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Quetta, Loralai, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Mastung from March 24 (evening) to March 25 (night) and from March 27 (night) to March 29 (morning) with occasional gaps.”
For Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, “rain-wind/thunderstorm with few heavy falls (snowfall over the hills)” is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Bunner, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Kurram, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan from March 25 (evening/night) to March 26 (morning).
The statement added that “widespread rain-wind/thunderstorm with isolated heavy falls (snowfall over the hills)” was expected in these areas from March 28 to March 30, with hailstorms likely at isolated locations during the period.
In Punjab, the PMD stated that “rain-wind/thunderstorm (with isolated hailstorm) was likely in Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Noorpurthal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Pakpattan, Okara, Kasur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan from March 25 to March 26 (morning) and from March 28 (evening) to March 30 with occasional gaps.”
Similar weather conditions are expected in Murree, Galiyat and Islamabad.
In Sindh, “rain-wind/thunderstorm (with isolated hailstorm)” is expected in Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Dadu, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Larkana and Karachi on March 25/26 and again from March 28 to 29, with occasional gaps.
Meanwhile, in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, “Rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is expected in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Guanche, Shigar, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from March 25 (evening/night) to March 26 and from March 28 to March 30 with occasional gaps”.
“Hailstorm/ heavyfall is likely at isolated places in Kashmir during the period,” it added.
The Met Office warned that landslides may occur in “vulnerable areas” of upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the forecast period.
It further cautioned that heavy rains could trigger flash floods in Balochistan from March 25 to 28 and in local streams and nullahs of Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa from March 28 to 30.
“Due to heavy rains, flash floods are expected in Balochistan from March 25 to 28, while in local streams and nullahs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from March 28 to 30,” it said.
The PMD also warned that windstorms, hailstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable infrastructure, including electric poles, billboards and solar panels, as well as standing crops in Punjab, K-P and Sindh.
Farmers have been advised to “manage their crops according to the prevailing weather conditions”, while tourists and travellers have been urged to remain “extra cautious” and avoid unnecessary travel.
“All concerned authorities are advised to remain ‘vigilant’ and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period,” the Met Office said.
