The Met Office is also forecasting rain and thunderstorms in upper parts of the country from March 9 to 12.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday warned that prevailing winds from Iran could carry pollutants to Pakistan and worsen air quality in parts of the country following recent developments in the neighboring country amid attacks by the United States and Israel.
Israeli military planes struck oil storage depots and refining facilities in the Iranian capital Tehran on Saturday. Huge fireballs and thick plumes of smoke rose above the city as joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes hit fuel storage facilities, sparking vast fires and sending thick smoke across the Iranian capital.
In a press release issued today, the PMD said: “Due to the recent situation in Iran, winds may carry pollutants and deteriorate air quality in the western regions of the country. »
The Met Office is also forecasting rain and thunderstorms in upper parts of the country from March 9 to 12, as a westerly weather system approaches the region.
According to the PMD, a westerly wave is expected to reach western Pakistan on Monday evening and may persist until Thursday, bringing unstable weather conditions to several northern areas.
Under the influence of the system, partly cloudy to cloudy weather with moderate rain, wind and thunderstorms, including occasional heavy falls, is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battgram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur districts, and parts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, from the evening of March 9 to 12.
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Light rain and thunderstorms are also likely in Khyber, Mohmand, Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Bajaur, Bannu, Waziristan, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu and Mianwali on March 10 and 11, the department said.
The PMD added that rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected in Islamabad, Pothohar region, Murree, Galliyat and surrounding areas during the night of March 9-11, with occasional interruptions.
The meteorological department further warned that hailstorms may occur at isolated places in Islamabad and other upper parts of the country during the forecast period.
