ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted widespread rain, wind, thunderstorms, and snowfall over hilly areas across various regions of the country starting tomorrow (Tuesday).
According to a statement, a strong westerly weather system is expected to enter western Pakistan on the evening or night of February 24, extending to upper regions by February 25 and persisting in northern areas until March 2.
Rain, wind, and thunderstorms are also anticipated in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum during this period.
From February 25 to March 2, Gilgit-Baltistan regions such as Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar, as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir areas including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur, are expected to experience widespread rain, wind, thunderstorms, and intermittent heavy snowfall.
From the night of February 24 to March 1, heavy rainfall and snowfall are forecasted in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Waziristan, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan. Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected in Murree, Galliyat, and surrounding areas from February 25 to March 1.
Rain, wind, and thunderstorms are also likely in Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, and Toba Tek Singh from the evening or night of February 25 to February 28. Additionally, districts such as Jhang, Bhakkar, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Taunsa Sharif, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara, Bahawalnagar, and Bahawalpur will experience rainfall from February 25 to February 27.
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From February 24 (evening/night) to February 26, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Mastung, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chagai, Nushki, Kalat, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Harnai, Zhob, and Musakhel are expected to see rain, wind, thunderstorms, and snowfall over hills. Light rain, wind, and thunderstorms are also predicted in Larkana, Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, and Sukkur on February 25-26.
PMD Warnings:
The PMD has warned that heavy snowfall may disrupt travel in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, and Poonch.
Heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods in vulnerable areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) between February 25 and March 1. Landslides are also possible in the mountainous regions of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), AJK, Murree, and Galliyat.
Tourists have been advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy snowfall and rainfall.
The PMD has urged all relevant authorities, including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), to remain on high alert and take necessary precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents, particularly in hilly areas.