ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday forecast rain, thunderstorms, and hailstorms for Islamabad and several northern areas, warning of potential landslides and flash flooding in vulnerable regions.
According to the PMD, partly cloudy skies are expected in the federal capital, with a maximum temperature likely to reach 34°C.
The Met Office stated that rainfall, along with thunderstorms and isolated hailstorms, is expected in parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper Punjab, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
Some districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may witness intense downpours and hail, the Met Office stated.
Meanwhile, Sindh and Balochistan are likely to remain hot and dry, with strong winds forecast across both provinces.
Morning temperatures were recorded at 18°C in Islamabad and Quetta, 27°C in Lahore and Karachi, 20°C in Peshawar, 13°C in Gilgit, 9°C in Murree, and 16°C in Muzaffarabad.
The Met Office has urged residents and travellers in northern regions, especially in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel over the next 24 hours due to the risk of flash flooding and landslides.
The forecast follows a severe weather event on 16 April, when an unexpected hailstorm struck Islamabad and surrounding areas, turning the city into a winter-like scene.
Large, golf ball-sized hailstones caused extensive damage to vehicles, rooftops, solar panels, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Roads were blanketed in thick white layers of hail, leading to traffic gridlocks and emergency response operations.
In the same spell of unseasonal weather, heavy rainfall and strong winds in Landi Kotal and Torkham triggered flash floods, stranding freight vehicles and forcing the temporary closure of the Pak-Afghan highway due to water accumulation and dangerous road conditions.
