ISLAMABAD – Torrential rain-thunderstorm with heavy snowfall and isolated hailstorm are likely in most parts of Pakistan from February 29 to March 02 (Thursday-Saturday).
As per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a strong westerly wave is likely to approach western parts of Pakistan on February 29. It may grip most parts of the country on March 01, and persist till March 02.
Under the influence of this weather system, country wide rains with heavy snowfall over mountains are likely which may generate flash floods and disrupt daily life in vulnerable areas.
Balochistan:
Widespread heavy rains with windstorm/thunderstorm and snowfall over the hills are expected in Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Chagi, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Turbat, Kech, Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni, Ormara, Panjgur, Kharan, Noushki, Washuk, Mastung, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah and Qila Saifullah February 29 March 01. Isolated hailstorms are also likely during the period.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
Heavy to extremely heavy widespread rain with windstorm/thunderstorm and heavy snowfall over the hills are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Bajaur, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan February 29 to March 03. Isolated hailstorms are also likely during the period.
Gilgit Baltistan/Kashmir:
Heavy to extremely heavy widespread rains with windstorm/thunderstorm and snowfall are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Kashmir (Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from February 29 to March 03. Isolated hailstorms are also likely during the period.
Punjab/Islamabad:
Widespread heavy rains with windstorm/thunderstorm are expected in Murree, Galyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali and Bhakkar March 01 to March 03. Heavy snowfall is also expected in Murree, Galyat and surroundings during the period. Rain-wind/thunderstorms are expected in Multan, Kot Addu, Layyah, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khanpur, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar from February 29 to March 02. Isolated hailstorms is also likely during the period.
Sindh:
Rain-wind/thunderstorms are expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Khairpur and Mirpurkhas on February 29 to March 01. Isolated hailstorms are also likely during the period.
Possible Impacts and advises:
Heavy rainfall may cause flash flooding in local nullahs of Gwadar, Ketch, Turbat, Panjgur, Awaran, Barkhan, Kohlu, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Dalbandin, Khuzdar, Dera Ghazi Khan on February 20 to March 01. Heavy rains may cause flash flooding in hill torrents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Murree, Galyat and local nullahs of Islamabad/Rawalpindi on March 01-02.
Heavy rain/snowfall may cause closure of roads in Murree, Galyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli on March 01-02. Landslides in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galyat, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan may affect the vulnerable points in the area.
Wind-thunderstorm/hailstorm may damage loose structures like electric poles and solar panels. Tourists are advised not to travel unnecessarily, while farmers are advised to remain cautious about their crops.
