ISLAMABAD:
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a rain and snowfall alert in the upper parts of the province from Friday (today) to February 3.
According to the PDMA, rain and snowfall are expected in Murree, Galiyat and surrounding areas. Rains are also forecast for Potohar region including Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat and Gujranwala.
Meanwhile, partly cloudy conditions are expected in central districts, with light drizzle possible after noon at some places in and around Multan, Jhang, Sargodha and Faisalabad.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had on Saturday warned that a new weather system bringing rain would enter Punjab last night. The system is expected to affect districts such as Rawalpindi, Sargodha and Faisalabad, with a likely drop in temperatures across the province.
The system is expected to influence weather conditions in several parts of the country until February 3. In Lahore, the minimum temperature is expected to be 9°C, with a maximum of 21°C.
Read: New rain system to enter Punjab tonight, colder likely
The PMD warned that from February 1 to 3, cold conditions will intensify in most regions.
The PDMA said all relevant departments have been put on alert as per the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia has directed that staff at emergency control rooms remain on duty round the clock. He added that the district administration and concerned departments in Murree have been put on high alert in view of the expected snowfall.
Tourists visiting Murree have been advised to take precautionary measures and follow official instructions. Facilitation centers have been set up at various places in the hill station to help visitors.
According to the PMD, cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country on Sunday, while very cold conditions are likely to persist in mountainous regions. However, partly cloudy to overcast skies are forecast for Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and northern Balochistan, with light rain and light snowfall in some areas.
Read more: Met Office warns of rain and colder days ahead
The PMD said cold weather with partly cloudy skies is expected in and around Islamabad. Most districts of Punjab will experience cold and dry conditions.
Most districts in KP are likely to remain cold and dry, while very cold and partly cloudy conditions are expected in mountainous areas. Light rain and light snowfall are possible at some places in Chitral, Dir, Kohistan, Kalam, Swat, Kurram and Waziristan.
Most districts of Sindh are expected to experience cold and dry weather. In Balochistan, most areas are likely to be cold with partly cloudy skies.
Kashmir is expected to remain very cold and cloudy with a chance of rain and snowfall. Very cold and cloudy weather is forecast in Gilgit-Baltistan, with light rain and light snowfall expected in some places.
