News Desk
ISLAMABAD: A westerly wave recently affecting northern Balochistan will grip most of the upper parts of the country on Friday night and bring more rain of light to moderate intensity with further snowfall over the hills in various upper parts of the country during the coming days.
As reported by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the westerly wave that entered Balochistan a couple of days before will persist till January 25 with occasional gaps.
Under the influence of the said weather system, rain of light to moderate intensity with moderate and isolated snowfall over the mountains with chances of an isolated hailstorm is expected in different parts including Islamabad, Murree, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Galliyat, the Potohar region, Kohistan district, Swat, Dir upper, Dir lower, Chitral, Buner District, Mansehra, Bajaur, Haripur, Abbottabad, Karak, Charsadda, Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat division, Bannu division, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Wazirabad, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal, and Nankana Sahib from January 21-24 with occasional intervals.
Meanwhile, light showers or drizzle is also expected in different parts of Multan, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Okara, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Sukkur, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dera Ismail Khan on January 20 and January 21.
Snowfall in upper parts
The met office also predicted rain-wind with moderate to isolated heavy snowfall in different areas of Kashmir (Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Kotli, Hattian, Bagh, Bhimber, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Mirpur), Murree, Galiyat, Chitral, Dir upper, Kalam, Behrain, Malam Jabba, Malakand, Kohistan district, Mansehra and Abbottabad region from January 23-25.
About the possible outcome, the met office revealed that heavy snowfall may disrupt the roads’ closure in Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir upper, Swat, Kohistan district, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Buner, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, Tub, and Haveli during the said forecast period.
Meanwhile, landslides in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan may also be expected during the current period. Tourists traveling to the areas are advised to remain extra cautious during the said spell.
He met office further revealed that the current rain will be beneficial for the standing crops, especially in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.
Temperatures are likely to go down significantly after the said spell.
All the concerned authorities are advised to be alert and to avoid any untoward situation during the said period.
