ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning of heavy rains expected to hit the country from March 5 to March 7, raising concerns of flash flooding, snow blockages, and landslides in various regions.
In an advisory, the PMD highlighted that the upcoming weather conditions could result in severe disruptions, particularly affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Upper and Southern Punjab, and Balochistan.
The PMD noted that temperatures in Karachi could plummet significantly below the normal March average, with a difference of approximately 10 degrees Celsius compared to typical weather patterns. According to PMD data, Karachi recorded a temperature of 11.1°C, marking an 8.3°C deviation from the usual March climate.
Heavy Rains Across Pakistan
The forecast comes in the wake of recent heavy downpours that have wreaked havoc across Pakistan, resulting in over 30 fatalities and widespread disruption. The torrential rains, which began on Thursday, have led to the closure of thousands of schools and caused extensive damage to infrastructure.
In northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, 26 persons, including 18 children, lost their lives due to collapsed buildings, while one person died in a landslide. Additionally, more than 150 houses were damaged in the region.
Southern Balochistan province also witnessed casualties, with five fatalities reported due to building collapses. Jahanzain Khan, head of the Balochistan disaster management agency, highlighted the challenges faced by affected areas, including damaged roads, floods, and landslides, which have isolated villages from main towns and blocked major roadways.
