Pakistan’s weather authorities and independent forecasters have issued a severe weather alert as an intense rain and thunderstorm system is expected to impact large parts of northern and northeastern regions starting Sunday evening (May 10) through May 12.
According to the alert, strong thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall, lightning strikes, and powerful wind gusts may develop across Potohar region, northeastern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir.
Areas expected to face the most severe conditions include Lahore, Narowal, Zafarwal, Shakargarh, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Jhelum, Gujar Khan, Kallar Syedan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Wah Cantt, Taxila, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, and surrounding districts.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, and Kohat are also expected to experience unstable weather conditions, while Mansehra and the entire Hazara Division, along with regions of Azad Kashmir, have been placed on alert.
Forecasters warned that mountainous areas could face landslides, advising citizens to avoid travel to hilly regions over the next three days.
Meteorologists also cautioned that wherever thunderstorms develop, lightning strike incidents are likely, urging residents to remain indoors during storms, avoid signboards and exposed structures, and immediately move to safe locations when severe weather begins.
Wind speeds may reach or exceed 60 kilometres per hour in some areas, raising concerns about damage to solar panels, temporary structures, and outdoor installations.
While southern districts including Mianwali, Bhakkar, Sargodha, Khushab, Chiniot, Jhang, Faisalabad, and Okara may also receive rain and dust storms, the risk of severe weather remains highest in northern Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Weather observers noted that Pakistan’s climate patterns are increasingly shifting toward more extreme and unpredictable events, stressing that forecasts indicate probabilities rather than certainty.
Further updates are expected if the storm system strengthens or shifts toward southern Punjab and other regions.
