Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is likely to be worst hit, with extreme weather conditions likely to trigger landslides in northern areas.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday issued a weather alert reporting widespread dust thunderstorms, heavy rain, hailstorms and strong winds in the northwest of the country from May 2.
In its advisory, the department said a new westerly wave is expected to enter the north-western regions by the evening of May 2 and persist in the upper parts of the country until the morning of May 5, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa likely to be the most seriously affected province.
“Widespread dust storms, heavy rain, hailstorms and strong winds are expected to batter upper and central Pakistan over the coming days,” the PMD said, calling on authorities and the public to remain vigilant.
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According to the Met Office, dust storms, isolated heavy falls and hailstorms were expected in several districts of KP, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan from the evening of May 2 to 4, with occasional interruptions.
Punjab and Islamabad are also expected to be affected.
The PMD also forecasts isolated dust storms and hailstorms in Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal from the evening of May 2 to the night of May 4. Thunderstorms, with isolated hailstorms, may also affect Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Multan and Khanewal on May 3 and 4.
The weather system is also expected to extend to northern areas. Gilgit-Baltistan, comprising Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, are likely to experience rains, winds and thundershowers during the night of May 2-5.
Additionally, heavy rains and hailstorms are also expected in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur, during the same period.
Balochistan, including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Kohlu, Zhob, Barkhan and Loralai, may experience windstorms and thunderstorms from May 2 to 4. Upper Sindh is also likely to witness dust storms on May 2 and 3.
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Highlighting the potential impacts, the Met Office warned that windstorms, hailstorms and lightning could damage weak structures such as power poles, billboards and solar panels.
He also warned of the likelihood of landslides in vulnerable areas of upper KP, GB and Kashmir, especially on May 3 and 4. Farmers in KP and upper Punjab have been advised to take prompt measures to protect standing crops from possible damage caused by hail and windstorms.
The department said the intense heat prevailing in the plains is expected to subside during the forecast period.
Tourists and travelers have been advised to take extra caution and avoid unnecessary travel to the affected areas, while all relevant authorities have been asked to remain on alert and take precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incident.
