WEB DESK: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast strong winds, rain, and thunderstorms across several regions of the country, as westerly weather systems begin to impact the weather in upper parts of Pakistan.
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According to the latest advisory, while most parts of the country will remain hot and dry today, upper and central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Islamabad, the Pothohar region, northeastern Punjab, and parts of lower Sindh are expected to experience thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds.
Rainfall is predicted in and around Islamabad, as well as in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Mianwali, Khushab, and Noorpur Thal.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rainfall is likely in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Kohat, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Hangu, Karak, Waziristan, and Kurram districts.
Southern regions will not remain untouched, as parts of lower Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Badin, Mithi, Mirpur Khas, Thatta, and Sujawal, are also likely to receive rain, with similar forecasts issued for some coastal areas of Balochistan.
The PMD added that isolated thunderstorms could occur in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab has issued a rain alert for the province, warning of widespread showers until October 7. Authorities have cautioned that the expected rainfall could lead to rising water levels in rivers and urban drainage systems.
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Over the past 24 hours, weather across the country remained largely hot and dry. However, isolated thunderstorms and strong winds were reported in parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and lower Sindh.
Residents are advised to stay updated with official weather warnings and take necessary precautions, particularly in areas prone to flash floods and landslides.