Warns that people in hilly areas of KP, GB and Azad Kashmir should remain cautious due to risk of landslides
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecast rains accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds in various parts of the country in the run-up to the Eid holidays, as a fresh westerly wave is expected to enter the country from the evening of March 17.
According to the Met Office, the weather system will move towards the west of the country during the evening or night of March 17, gradually extending to most areas by March 18 before weakening by March 20.
The change in weather is linked to a westerly wave, a natural seasonal weather system that often brings rain, wind and cooler temperatures.
Balochistan will likely be among the first regions affected. Rain and strong winds, as well as occasional thunderstorms and isolated hail, are expected in areas such as Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur and Awaran from the evening of March 17 to the morning of March 20, with intermittent breaks.
PMD weather alert:
Rain, wind, thunderstorm and snowfall are expected in many parts of Pakistan from March 17 to 20 due to a new westerly wave.
Possibility of hail and drop in temperature expected.
Tourists and farmers are advised to remain cautious.#WeatherPakistan #PMD #WeatherAlert pic.twitter.com/VjsD7UHS9T— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) March 16, 2026
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is expected to experience rainy and windy weather with thunderstorms and snowfall over higher mountains in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan districts. Isolated hailstorms may also occur in some areas.
Rain and strong winds are also expected in Punjab and Islamabad. Cities like Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha and Sahiwal are expected to receive rain with occasional thunderstorms and isolated hail from the night of March 17 to the morning of March 20. Southern Punjab districts such as Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan may experience similar conditions on March 18 and 19.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir are also likely to experience cloudy weather with rain, thundershowers and snowfall at higher altitudes. Areas such as Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu, Diamir, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Poonch, Mirpur and Kotli may witness stronger spells, especially in parts of Kashmir.
Learn more: Rainfall brings relief as weather system moves towards Punjab
Sindh is expected to experience cloudy conditions with occasional rain and thunderstorms on March 18 and 19 in districts including Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Mirpurkhas, Badin and Thatta.
The Met Office has warned that people in hilly areas of KP, GB and Azad Kashmir should remain cautious due to the risk of landslides on mountain slopes and roads.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a detailed weather advisory stating that widespread rain, windy conditions and occasional flashes of thunderstorms are expected to move over large parts of the country from the evening of March 17 until March 20, thereby straddling the… pic.twitter.com/ddyQEx2c6O
– APP (@appcsocialmedia) March 16, 2026
Lightning may also occur in isolated locations during thunderstorms, and residents are advised to stay indoors during periods of heavy rain.
Farmers have been advised to take necessary precautions to protect their crops as isolated hailstorms could damage standing crops in some areas. Daytime temperatures across the country are also expected to drop slightly during this period.
Also read: NDMA issues rain and thunderstorm warning across Pakistan from March 14 to 16
Travelers and tourists have been advised to plan their Eid trips based on weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rains.
Authorities said relevant government departments had been alerted to ensure public safety.
