PMD also warned that windstorms, hailstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable infrastructure.
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain and thunderstorms across the country from March 24 to 30, warning of heavy downpours, hailstorms and possible flash floods in several areas as a strong weather system takes hold.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Met Office said, “A western disturbance is likely to approach south-western parts of Balochistan on March 24 (evening/night) and intensify from the night of March 27 and may persist till March 31.” »
Under the influence of this system, rain, winds and thunderstorms of varying intensity are expected across all provinces, with some areas likely to experience heavy falls, snowfall on hills and isolated hailstorms.
In Balochistan, the PMD said that “rain, wind and thunderstorms with some heavy falls (with isolated hailstorms) are expected at Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Makran Coast (Gawadar, Pasni, Ormara) Lasbela, Khuzdar, Kharan, Chaghi, Dalbandin, Kalat, Sibi, Kohlu, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Quetta, Loralai, Ziarat, Shaman, 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 interruptions.
For Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, “rain-wind/thunderstorm with some heavy falls (snowfall on hills)” are 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 and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls (snowfall on hills)” were expected in these areas from March 28 to 30, with hailstorms likely in isolated places during this period.
In Punjab, the PMD said “rain, wind and thunderstorms (with isolated hailstorms) were 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 March 28 (evening) to March 30 with occasional interruptions.
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 28-29, with occasional interruptions.
Meanwhile, in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, ‘rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall on 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 March 28 to March 30 with occasional interruptions.”
“Hailstorms/heavy falls are likely at isolated places in Kashmir during this period,” it added.
The Met Office has warned that landslides may occur in “vulnerable areas” of upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the forecast period.
He further warned that heavy rains may trigger flash floods in Balochistan from March 25 to 28 and in local rivers 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, and in local rivers and nullahs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from March 28 to 30,” the statement said.
The PMD also warned that windstorms, hailstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable infrastructure, including electricity poles, billboards and solar panels, as well as standing crops in Punjab, KP and Sindh.
Farmers have been advised to “manage their crops according to the current weather conditions”, while tourists and travelers have been urged to remain “very cautious” and avoid unnecessary travel.
“All relevant authorities are advised to remain ‘vigilant’ and take necessary action to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period,” the Met Office said.
