The PMD also warned that wind storms, hail 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 regions as a strong weather system approaches.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Met Office said, “A western disturbance is likely to approach parts of southwestern Balochistan on March 24 (afternoon/evening) and is likely to intensify from the night of March 27 and may persist until March 31.”
Under the influence of this system, varying intensities of rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected in all provinces, with heavy falls, snowfall on hills and isolated hailstorms likely to occur in certain areas.
In Balochistan, PMD said, “Rain and wind/thunderstorms with some heavy rain (with isolated hailstorm) are expected in Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Makran coast (Gawadar, Pasni, Ormara) Lasbela, Khuzdar, Kharan, Chaghi, Dalbandin, Kalat, Sibi, Kohlu, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Quetta, Loralai, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Mastung from March 24 (afternoon) to March 25 (night) and from March 27 (night) to March 29 (morning) with occasional intervals.”
For Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, “rain-wind/thunderstorm with some heavy rainfall (snowfall over hills)” is 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 (afternoon/evening) to March 26 (morning).
The statement added that “widespread rain, wind and thunderstorms with isolated heavy rain (snowfall over hills)” were expected in these areas from March 28 to 30, with hail storms likely at isolated places during the period.
In Punjab, the PMD declared that “rain and wind/thunderstorm (with isolated hailstorm) was 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 26 (morning) and from March 28 (afternoon) to March 30 with occasional intervals.”
Similar weather conditions are expected in Murree, Galiyat and Islamabad.
In Sindh, “rain-wind/thunderstorm (with isolated hailstorm)” is expected at Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Dadu, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Larkana and Karachi on March 25-26 and again on March 28-29, with occasional intervals.
Meanwhile, in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, rain, wind and thunderstorm (snowfall over hills) are 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 (afternoon/evening). until March. 26 and from March 28 to 30 with specific intervals”.
“Hailstorm or heavy falls are likely at isolated places in Kashmir during this period,” he added.
The Met Office warned that landslides could occur in “vulnerable areas” of upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the forecast period.
It further warned that heavy rains could cause flash floods in Balochistan from March 25 to 28 and in local streams 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, while in local streams and nullahs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from March 28 to 30,” he said.
The PMD also warned that windstorms, hail and lightning could damage vulnerable infrastructure, including electric poles, hoardings and solar panels, as well as standing crops in Punjab, KP and Sindh.
Farmers have been advised to “manage their crops in accordance with prevailing climatic conditions”, while tourists and travelers have been urged to be “very cautious” and avoid unnecessary travel.
“All authorities concerned are advised to remain ‘vigilant’ and take necessary measures to avoid any adverse situation during the forecast period,” the Met Office said.
