PMD forecasts widespread rain in parts of country, snowfall in mountain areas 

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning for heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, hailstorms, and snowfall in the country’s hilly regions.

According to the department, a new powerful system of western winds has begun affecting the northern and central parts of Pakistan from today.

In central Punjab, cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Faisalabad are expected to experience rain and hailstorms until April 9.

Rain is expected in several Sindh districts, including Karachi, Sukkur, Larkana, and Jacobabad, are also likely to see face starting today.

Karachi may witness light to moderate rainfall with gusty winds and occasional thunder.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, districts such as Peshawar, Chitral, Swat, Quetta, Zhob, and Qalat are forecast to experience heavy rain and hailstorms, while snowfall is expected in Murree, the Galiyat region, and other northern areas.

In response, provincial governments have placed all relevant departments, including the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMA) and district administrations, on high alert.

Residents and tourists have been advised to exercise caution due to the risk of flash floods in rivers and streams, as well as landslides in hilly regions.

Separately, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) through its National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has issued an alert warning citizens about possible severe weather across the country, confirming that the current situation aligns with the forecasts released in January.

The advisory states that westerly winds are expected to sweep across most regions within the next 12 to 24 hours, bringing rain along with strong and gusty winds. Snowfall is also likely in the higher and mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the same period.

Several districts in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may experience thunderstorms, hail, and windstorms, while parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could see isolated thunderstorms over the next 12 to 24 hours.
Rain accompanied by strong winds is forecast in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Battagram, Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, DI Khan, and Waziristan.

In Islamabad and several cities across Punjab, including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Gujar Khan, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Chiniot, Jhang, Faisalabad, and Mandi Bahauddin, snowstorms and thunderstorms are expected. Rain is also likely in Narowal, Sargodha, Jhang, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Kasur, Gojra, Layyah, Borewala, Okara, DG Khan, Multan, and Bahawalpur.

In Sindh, rainfall with strong winds and thundershowers is expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Jamshoro, Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Nowshera Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Tando Allah Yar, and Tando Muhammad Khan.

Rain is also forecast in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, including Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Astore, Diamer, Khurmang, Shigar, Ghizer, Nagar, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli, Poonch, Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber, and Neelum Valley.

Balochistan cities such as Quetta, Zhob, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Ziarat, Kalat, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Barkhan, Sibi, Noshki, Khuzdar, Awaran, Washuk, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar, and Lasbela are also likely to face storms, thunderstorms, rain, and strong winds.

The NDMA has cautioned that lightning, hail, and powerful winds may damage fragile structures, uproot trees, destroy standing crops, and disrupt power lines. Roads may become slippery due to rain, affecting traffic flow, while snowfall in the mountains could further hinder travel. Persistent rainfall also increases the risk of landslides in hilly areas.

Citizens are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, drive carefully, and strictly follow weather advisories. People are advised to stay away from trees, weak buildings, and vulnerable installations during storms. Tourists and travelers heading to northern regions should check weather updates and road conditions before their journey.

The NDMA has directed all provincial and district authorities to remain alert and fully prepared to respond to the anticipated severe weather.