ISLAMABAD:
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a rain and snow alert for the upper parts of the province from Friday (today) to February 3.
According to the PDMA, rain and snowfall are expected in Murree, Galiyat and surrounding areas. Rains are also forecast for Potohar region including Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat and Gujranwala.
Meanwhile, partly cloudy conditions are expected in central districts, with light drizzle possible after noon in a few places in and around Multan, Jhang, Sargodha and Faisalabad.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had on Saturday warned that a new weather system bringing rain would enter Punjab last night. The system is expected to affect districts such as Rawalpindi, Sargodha and Faisalabad, with temperatures likely to drop across the province.
The system is expected to influence weather conditions in various parts of the country until February 3. In Lahore, the minimum temperature is expected to be 9°C, with a maximum of 21°C.
Read: New rain system to enter Punjab this evening, colder weather likely
PMD warned that from February 1 to 3, cold conditions will intensify in most areas.
The PDMA said all relevant departments have been put on alert as per the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia requested that emergency control room staff remain on duty round the clock. He added that the district administration and concerned departments in Murree have been put on alert due to the expected snowfall.
Tourists visiting Murree are advised to take precautionary measures and follow official instructions. Facilitation centers have been set up at different places in the hill station to help visitors.
According to the PMD, cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country on Sunday, while very cold conditions are expected to persist in mountainous areas. However, partly cloudy to overcast skies are forecast for Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and northern Balochistan, with light rain and light snowfall in a few areas.
Learn more: Met Office warns of rain and colder days ahead
The PMD said that cold weather with partly cloudy sky is expected in Islamabad and its surrounding areas. Most districts of Punjab are experiencing cold and dry conditions.
Most districts of KP are expected to remain cold and dry, while very cold and partly cloudy conditions are expected in mountainous areas. Light rain and light snowfall may occur at a few places in Chitral, Dir, Kohistan, Kalam, Swat, Kurram and Waziristan.
Most districts of Sindh are expected to experience cold and dry weather. In Balochistan, cold conditions with partly cloudy skies are likely in most parts.
Kashmir is expected to remain very cold and overcast, with chances of rain and snow. In Gilgit-Baltistan, very cold and cloudy weather is forecast, with light rain and light snowfall expected at a few places.
