The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a nationwide weather alert, warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and isolated hailstorms across the country during Eid-ul-Fitr. The extreme weather is expected from the evening of 17th March and may continue until 20th March.
According to PMD, a new westerly wave is approaching the western parts of Pakistan on 17th March and is expected to affect most regions by 18th March, persisting until 20th March.
Regional Forecasts
Balochistan: Heavy rain, wind, and thunderstorms with isolated hail are expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chaghi, Noushki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Mastung, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Khuzdar, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur, and Awaran. The weather may include occasional gaps between showers.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Rain and thunderstorms with heavy falls and snowfall over hills are forecast in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Bunner, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Peshawar, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Kurram, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan. Isolated hailstorms may occur.
Punjab & Islamabad: Rain, wind, and thunderstorms with isolated hail are expected in Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Noorpur Thal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara, Kasur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan.
Gilgit-Baltistan & Kashmir: Rain and thunderstorms with snowfall over hills are expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Gujanch, Shigar, and Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur. Heavy falls and isolated hail may occur in Kashmir.
Sindh: Rain, wind, and thunderstorms with isolated hail are expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jacobabad, Naushero Feroz, Kashmore, Larkana, Sanghar, Sukkur, Ghotki, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, and Tharparkar.
Possible Impacts and Safety Advice:
- Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.
- Lightning strikes may occur at isolated places.
- Hailstorms and wind may damage standing crops in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh.
- Daytime temperatures are expected to drop during the forecast period.
- Tourists and travelers are advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel.
- Farmers are advised to manage crops according to prevailing weather conditions.
The Defense Division has urged the government to remain vigilant and take all necessary measures to prevent accidents and minimize damage during this period.
