- PMD says Balochistan will be hit with isolated rain and hail.
- KP Hills to see snowfall; thunderstorms in several districts.
- Travelers are advised to plan Eid trips keeping the weather in mind.
A westerly weather system is expected to bring widespread rain across Pakistan from March 17 to 20, with Karachi and other parts of Sindh receiving downpours during the Eid ul Fitr festive period, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The PMD has issued a detailed weather advisory stating that widespread rain, breezy conditions and occasional thunderstorms are expected to move across much of the country from the afternoon of March 17.
While the weather will be noticeably active, authorities are keeping a close watch and have shared timely guidelines to help everyone stay safe and prepared.
Climate change is being driven by a westerly wave, which is a natural seasonal weather system that is forecast to enter the western parts of the country on the afternoon or evening of March 17.
It is expected to gradually spread over most parts of Pakistan by March 18 and subside by March 20, bringing with it a few refreshing but unsettled days.
Balochistan will be among the first regions to experience climate change, with rainy and windy conditions accompanied by occasional thunderstorms and isolated hail expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur and Awaran, as well as surrounding areas.
The periods are forecast from the afternoon of March 17 to the morning of March 20, with intermittent breaks.
Sindh will see its share of rainy and cloudy weather with occasional thunderstorms on March 18 and 19, covering Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Thatta and several other districts.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will see rainy and windy weather with stormy intervals and snowfall over higher hills over a wide area including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Waziristan and many neighboring districts. Isolated hail is possible in some locations during this time.
In Punjab and Islamabad, the capital region, along with Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha, Sahiwal and several other cities and towns, periods of rain and breeze with isolated hail can be expected from the night of March 17 to the morning of March 20.
South Punjab including Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan are expected to receive similar conditions on March 18 and 19.
Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir will also experience rainy and cloudy weather with thunderstorms and snowfall at higher elevations.
Areas including Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu, Diamir, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Poonch, Mirpur and Kotli are included in the forecast from the afternoon of March 17 onwards, with some stronger spells possible, particularly over Kashmir.
The Met Office has highlighted some areas worth keeping in mind during this period. People living in mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir should be aware of the possibility of landslides on mountain slopes and roads.
Lightning can occur in isolated places during stormy periods, so staying indoors during heavy rain is a sensible precaution.
Farmers are encouraged to take care of their crops in light of the breezy and rainy conditions, as hail in isolated locations could affect standing crops in some areas.
Daytime temperatures will be colder than usual across the country during this period.
Travelers and tourists are advised to plan their Eid trips keeping the weather in mind, stay updated on road conditions and avoid unnecessary travel during peak periods.
All relevant government departments have been alerted and are taking necessary measures to ensure public safety throughout the forecast period.
