ISLAMABAD – Widespread rain-thunderstorm, isolated hailstorms with heavy snowfall over the mountains are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and parts of Pakistan from Thursday to Saturday (February 29-March 02).
As per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a strong westerly wave is likely to approach western parts of Pakistan on February 29 (Thursday). It may grip most parts of the country on March 01 (Friday) and persist till March 02 (Saturday).
Under the influence of this weather system, countrywide rains with heavy snowfall over mountains are likely during this week.
Balochistan:
Heavy rains with wind-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 on Thursday and Friday (February 29-March 01). Isolated hailstorms are also likely during the period.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
Widespread rain-thunderstorms with 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 from Thursday to Sunday (February 29-March 03). Isolated hailstorms are also likely during the period.
Gilgit Baltistan/Kashmir:
Widespread rain-thunderstorms with 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 Thursday to Sunday (February 29-March 03). Isolated hailstorms are also likely during the period.
Punjab/Islamabad:
Widespread rain-thunderstorms 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 from Friday to Sunday (March 01-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 Thursday to Saturday (February 29-March 02). Isolated hailstorms are 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 Thursday and Friday (February 29-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 Thursday and Friday (February 29-March 01). Heavy rains may cause flash flooding in hill torrents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Murree, Galyat and local nullahs of Islamabad/Rawalpindi on Friday and Saturday (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 Friday and Saturday (March 01-02).