ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Saturday issued a weather alert forecasting rain across Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) from April 12 to 17.
Intermittent rainfall is expected in these regions, accompanied by thunderstorms, dust storms, and strong winds, according to the NDMA. There is also a possibility of hailstorms in isolated areas, raising concerns about potential disruptions and localised damage.
“Rainfall is expected in Islamabad and several cities of Punjab, including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Mianwali, and Mandi Bahauddin,” it added.
“In contrast, Sindh and Balochistan are likely to experience hot and dry weather, with a slight to moderate rise in daytime temperatures,” the NDMA said.
The authority added that snowfall is expected in the upper and mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the coming week.
“In K-P, multiple districts, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Haripur, are likely to receive rain with thunderstorms. Swabi, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan may also experience rain accompanied by strong winds,” it added.
The NDMA said that, according to the Meteorological Department’s Early Warning Centre, Karachi is expected to experience hot weather until Monday, with temperatures on Sunday likely exceeding 38°C.
“However, heatwave-like conditions are not expected as humidity will remain between 20 and 30 per cent, while northeasterly winds in the morning and sea breezes in the evening are likely to prevail,” said the statement.
The NDMA further stated that rainfall is expected across Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Astore, Diamer, Ghizer, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli, and Neelum Valley.
It warned that strong winds, lightning, and hailstorms could damage weak structures, trees, and power lines. The expected rainfall may also make roads slippery and disrupt traffic flow, while snowfall in mountainous regions could further impact travel conditions.
The authority cautioned that prolonged rainfall in hilly areas may increase the risk of landslides. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, exercise caution while driving, and stay updated with weather advisories. It also urged people to keep away from trees, weak structures, and electrical installations during storms and strong winds.
Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change and has experienced increasingly erratic weather, including heatwaves, droughts, untimely rains, and floods, in recent years.
