ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of widespread rain, thunderstorms and strong winds expected to grip large parts of the country between April 1-4.
The Met Office, in a fresh weather advisory, said that a westerly wave is expected to move into southwestern Balochistan on April 1, gradually extending its influence across nearly all provinces over the following days.
“Balochistan will be the first to bear the brunt of the system, with rain, thunderstorms, and isolated hailstorms anticipated from the evening of April 1 across a sweeping stretch of districts from coastal areas including Gwadar, Pasni, and Ormara inland through Quetta, Ziarat, Loralai, Zhob, Khuzdar, and dozens of other regions, continuing through April 4 with occasional breaks,” it said.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will see the effect of the harsh weather from the night of April 1, with rain and thunderstorms affecting the entire province from Chitral, Dir, and Swat in the north to Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan in the south, the advisory noted.
The PMD said that snow is expected over higher elevations, while isolated areas face the added threat of hailstorms and heavy downpours.
Twin cities also to get rain
The Met Office added that Punjab and Islamabad will also experience weather changes from the night of April 1, with thunderstorms and hailstorms forecast across the region from Murree and Rawalpindi down through Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan.
Dera Ghazi Khan and the adjoining districts face a heightened risk of particularly heavy rainfall.
Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK are also expected to experience rain, snow over the mountains, and hailstorms from the night of April 1, covering districts including Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, and Mirpur, among others.
The advisory said that Sindh will be the last province affected, with Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and several other cities facing rain, thunderstorms, and isolated hailstorms from April 2 through April 4.
The authorities have warned of serious secondary hazards throughout the period.
The Met Office warned that flash flooding is anticipated in northeast Balochistan and in local streams and waterways across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa from April 2 to 4, while hill torrents are expected in Dera Ghazi Khan.
“Windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures, electricity infrastructure, billboards, and solar panels, while standing crops in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh are at risk from hail and strong winds,” it added.
The farmers have been urged to take protective measures in line with the changing weather conditions.
The Met Office has also strongly advised the public, tourists, and travellers to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel throughout the forecast window.
