Islamabad (Web Desk): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), through its National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), has issued a countrywide advisory, cautioning that a westerly weather system is set to affect most regions over the next 12 to 24 hours, bringing rain, thunderstorms, snowfall, lightning, and strong gusty winds. Citizens have been urged to remain alert and take necessary precautions during this period.
The authority indicated that Islamabad and several districts across Punjab are likely to witness rainfall accompanied by thunder and strong winds within the next day. Areas such as Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Gujar Khan, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, and Mandi Bahauddin are expected to be impacted, while additional showers are forecast for Narowal, Sargodha, Jhang, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Kasur, Okara, Burewala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Bahawalpur.
In the higher altitudes of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, snowfall is anticipated during the same timeframe. Meanwhile, various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also expected to receive rain along with thunderstorms and strong winds.
The areas likely to be affected include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Battagram, Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan.
Officials have further warned of a heightened risk of flooding in parts of KP, particularly in Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, and Mardan, with the threat expected to continue until April 5.
At the same time, several districts in Sindh are also likely to experience rain combined with thunder and strong winds over the next 12 to 24 hours. These include Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Jamshoro, Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, and Tando Muhammad Khan.
Rainfall is also expected in multiple areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, including Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Astore, Diamer, Kharmang, Shigar, Ghizer, Nagar, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli, Poonch, Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber, and Neelum Valley.
Similarly, different parts of Balochistan are forecast to receive rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, including Quetta, Zhob, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Ziarat, Kalat, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Barkhan, Sibi, Nushki, Khuzdar, Awaran, Washuk, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar, and Lasbela.
The NDMA has directed all provincial and district administrations to stay prepared for any emergency situation, noting that powerful winds, lightning strikes, and possible hail could harm fragile structures, uproot trees, damage crops, and disrupt electricity supply.
Rainfall may also lead to slippery roads and traffic disruptions, while snowfall in mountainous regions could create travel difficulties and raise the risk of landslides.
People have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, exercise caution while driving, and strictly follow official guidance.
Tourists planning trips to northern areas should check weather updates and road conditions beforehand, while the public can stay informed through the NDMA’s official mobile application, Pak NDMA Disaster Alert.