The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain and thunderstorms across different parts of the country between March 24 and March 30, with breaks in between.
According to a press release, “A western disturbance is likely to approach southwestern parts of Balochistan on March 24 (evening/night) and likely to intensify from the night of March 27 and may persist till March 31.”
Balochistan
Due to this weather system, several areas of Balochistan are expected to receive rain, wind, and thunderstorms, with a few heavy spells and chances of isolated hailstorms.
These include Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, the Makran coastal belt such as Gawadar, Pasni, and Ormara, along with Lasbela, Khuzdar, Kharan, Chaghi, Dalbandin, Kalat, Sibi, Kohlu, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Quetta, Loralai, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, and Mastung.
The weather activity is expected from the evening of March 24 to the night of March 25, and again from the night of March 27 to the morning of March 29, with occasional gaps.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, “rain-wind/thunderstorm with few heavy falls (snowfall over the hills)” is likely in areas including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, 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 the evening or night of March 25 to the morning of March 26.
The department added that “widespread rain-wind/thunderstorm with isolated heavy falls (snowfall over the hills)” is expected in these regions again from March 28 to March 30. There is also a possibility of hailstorms in some places.
Punjab
Punjab is also likely to experience rain, wind, and thunderstorms, with chances of isolated hailstorms. Affected areas include Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Noorpur Thal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Pakpattan, Okara, Kasur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan.
The weather is expected from March 25 to the morning of March 26, and again from the evening of March 28 to March 30, with breaks. Similar conditions are forecast for Murree, Galiyat, and Islamabad.
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Sindh
In Sindh, rain, wind, and thunderstorms with chances of isolated hailstorms are expected in Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Dadu, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Larkana, and Karachi on March 25 and 26, and again from March 28 to 29, with some gaps.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir
For Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, “Rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is 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 (evening/night) to March 26 and from March 28 to March 30 with occasional gaps”.
It also warned that “Hailstorm/ heavyfall is likely at isolated places in Kashmir during the period”.
The department cautioned that landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir during this time.
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It further stated that heavy rains could lead to flash floods in Balochistan between March 25 and 28, while local streams and nullahs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may experience flooding from March 28 to 30.
Strong winds, hail, and lightning may damage weak structures such as electric poles, billboards, and solar panels. Standing crops in Punjab, KP, and Sindh may also be affected.
Farmers have been advised to take precautions and manage their crops accordingly. Tourists and travelers are urged to remain careful and avoid unnecessary movement during this period.
The Met Office concluded by saying, “All concerned authorities are advised to remain ’vigilant’ and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.”