Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is likely to be the worst affected; Bad weather could cause landslides in northern areas
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday issued a weather alert warning of widespread dust storms, 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 northwestern regions on the afternoon 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 severely affected province.
“Widespread dust storms, heavy rain, hailstorms and strong winds are expected to hit upper and central Pakistan in the coming days,” the PMD said, urging authorities and the public to remain alert.
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According to the Meteorological Office, dust storm, isolated heavy falls and hailstorm are 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 afternoon of May 2 to May 4, with occasional intervals.
Punjab and Islamabad were also expected to be affected.
The PMD also forecast isolated dust storm and hailstorm in Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal from the afternoon of May 2 to the evening 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 expected to extend to the northern regions as well. Gilgit-Baltistan including Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar are likely to experience rain, wind and thunderstorm activity from the night of May 2 to May 5.
Additionally, heavy rain and hailstorm 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 May 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, hail and lightning can damage weak structures such as electricity pylons, advertising hoardings and solar panels.
He also warned about the likelihood of landslides in vulnerable areas of upper KP, GB and Kashmir, particularly on May 3 and 4. Farmers in KP and upper Punjab were advised to take timely measures to protect standing crops from possible damage due to hail and gales.
The department said the intense heat prevailing in the plains is likely to subside during the forecast period.
Tourists and travelers were advised to exercise extra caution and avoid unnecessary travel to the affected regions, while all relevant authorities were directed to remain on high alert and take precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incident.
