Key Points
- Heavy rainfall is likely in the upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Potohar region, and Kashmir
- Rain could trigger flash floods and landslides
- Over 200 people have died in rain-related incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday predicted partly cloudy weather accompanied by rain, wind, and thundershowers across various parts of the country on Saturday.
It also forecasts isolated heavy falls expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pothohar region, and Kashmir.
The PMD forecast rain, wind, and thunderstorms for several regions, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Islamabad, the Potohar region, northeast Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Evening and nighttime showers are also expected in northeast and southern Balochistan, southern Punjab, and southeast Sindh.
The Met Office has warned that heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods in local streams across upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, the Potohar region, and northeast Punjab. Additionally, landslides and mudslides may lead to road closures in vulnerable mountainous areas such as Murree, Galliyat, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.
The forecast also highlights the risk of damage from heavy rain, windstorms, and lightning to fragile structures, including roofs and walls of mud houses, billboards, electric poles, vehicles, and solar panels.
The public, especially travelers and tourists, is advised to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary movement in high-risk areas, and stay updated on the latest weather advisories.
In Islamabad and its surrounding areas, cloudy weather with rain, wind, and thunderstorms is expected, with isolated heavy showers likely during the early morning and nighttime hours.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rainfall is forecast in several districts including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Kurram, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Peshawar, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Hangu, and Waziristan. Isolated heavy falls are particularly expected in the upper districts during the forecast period.
Punjab is likely to have mainly hot and humid weather over most parts of the province.
However, partly cloudy weather with rain-wind/thundershower is expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Khushab, and surrounding areas, with heavy falls expected in the Pothohar region during the period.
Rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Layyah, Bhakkar, Multan, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, and surrounding areas during the evening and night.
Sindh is expected to witness partly cloudy and humid weather in most districts of the province.
However, there are chances of rain-wind/thunderstorms at isolated places in Tharparkar, Umarkot, Mithi, Badin, Dadu, Mirpur Khas, and Karachi during the evening and night.
In Balochistan, mainly hot and humid weather is likely to persist over most parts of the province. However, partly cloudy weather with chances of rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected at isolated places.
Cloudy weather accompanied by rain, wind, and thunderstorms is expected in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, with isolated heavy showers likely during the forecast period.
Over the past 24 hours, rain and thundershowers were reported in parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Islamabad, upper Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Heavy rainfall was also recorded in some areas of Kashmir and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
It is pertinent to mention that provincial authorities have reported that more than 200 people have died in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with hundreds injured and thousands forced from their homes. The severe weather has caused widespread devastation, destroying homes, infrastructure, and farmland, and leaving large areas submerged.
Rescue and relief operations are underway in the hardest-hit districts, with security forces, provincial agencies, and volunteers working tirelessly to assist affected communities and reach those still stranded. Officials have warned that further heavy rainfall may intensify the crisis and have urged the public to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
Meanwhile, a KP government helicopter carrying relief supplies to Bajaur’s Salarzai area crashed due to bad weather while flying over Mohmand district, killing five people on board, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur confirmed.
