ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Meteorological Department has predicted the weather conditions on Eid-ul-Fitr, and there is a possibility of snowfall in the mountains of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Meteorological Department has predicted that the upper areas will remain cloudy during the days of Eid. According to the report, a new western circulation is likely to enter the country from the evening of March 17, and thunderstorms are expected in most parts of the country from March 18 to 20.
Rain and hail are likely in different districts of Balochistan from March 17 to 20, rain in the upper areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while snowfall is expected in the mountains.
According to the Meteorological Department, intermittent rain is likely in Punjab and Islamabad from the night of March 17 to March 20.
Wind and hail are also likely in Murree, Galiat, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad.
Rain and thunderstorms are expected in various cities of Sindh on March 18 and 19, while snowfall is expected in the mountains along with rain in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
There is a risk of landslides in the upper areas. Tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, wind and hail are likely to damage crops, and a drop in daytime temperatures is expected.
NDMA issues Alert
According to the spokesperson of the National Disaster Management Authority, heavy rain, strong winds, and thundershowers are expected in Azad Kashmir over the next 12 to 24 hours.
The areas expected to face intense weather conditions include Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Rawalakot, Bagh, Haveli, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur. The residents of these areas have been advised to be cautious, especially in hilly areas.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain is expected in Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Astore, Ghizer, Diamer, Ghanche, Shigar, and Nagar, whereas snowfall is expected in the upper regions. In addition, there is a risk of landslides and flash floods owing to glacial lake outbursts.
In Punjab, widespread rain is expected in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Murree, and many other areas. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, thunderstorms are expected in Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Swat, and Chitral, whereas snowfall is expected in mountainous areas.
Sindh’s regions like Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Tharparkar, and Karachi are likely to experience thunderstorms and rain in an intermittent manner as well. Rain and gusty winds are expected in Balochistan’s Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Khuzdar, Turbat, and Gwadar.
The NDMA has specifically issued a warning of landslides in Balochistan’s regions like Ziarat, Harnai, Sibi, Musakhel, Sherani, and Loralai, which may impact the flow of traffic on important highways like N-50, N-65, and N-70. Waterlogging in low-lying areas is likely to impact the flow of traffic as well.
All provincial and district administrations have been directed to be on high alert, and the citizens, especially in Azad Kashmir and the northern regions, have been advised to avoid traveling and exercise caution in landslide-prone areas.
The National Emergency Operation Centre of the NDMA is keeping a close eye on the situation, and the general public is advised to follow the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert App for timely updates and guidelines on potential hazards and safety measures.
