ISLAMABAD: As heavy rain lashed most parts of the country on Monday, Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) sounded a high alert nationwide through its National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), urging citizens to brace for intense weather conditions expected over the next 12 to 24 hours.
The Met Office has forecast that a westerly wave will approach southwestern Balochistan on April 1, with conditions expected to persist through April 4.
The advisory corresponds with warnings from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which has forecast widespread downpours, gusty winds, and snowfall in higher elevations, sparking concerns over urban flooding and the potential bursting of glacial lakes.
Widespread Rain, Thunderstorms & Hail Expected Across Pakistan #PakistanWeather #RainAlert #ThunderstormWarning #HailstormAlert #WeatherUpdate #ClimateAlert #HeavyRain #IslamabadWeather #PunjabWeather #KPKWeather #BalochistanWeather #SindhWeather #KashmirWeather #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/fQ6neYTELI
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) March 30, 2026
Officials from the NDMA noted that the impending weather system matches projections made earlier in January, highlighting the authority’s ability to issue long-term warnings for climate-related threats up to six months in advance.
The NEOC continues to track atmospheric developments both within the country and across borders, ensuring timely alerts are disseminated to prevent or reduce damage.
Thunderstorm & Rain Alert for Islamabad and Pothohar Region in Next 1–3 Hours#IslamabadWeather #اسلام_آباد_موسم #PothoharWeather #پوٹھوہار #RainAlert #بارش_الرٹ #ThunderstormAlert #آندھی_طوفان #Hailstorm #ژالہ_باری #WeatherUpdate #موسمی_اپڈیٹ pic.twitter.com/q1EKx8ETPK
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) March 30, 2026
Meteorological outlook: Widespread rain, storms, and snow
According to the PMD, heavy showers coupled with thunderstorms and strong winds are likely to sweep through most parts of the country on Monday.
Northern mountainous regions, including parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are expected to receive significant snowfall. Authorities have cautioned that sustained precipitation in these areas could trigger glacial lake outbursts, leading to flooding in valleys and downstream settlements.
Provincial breakdown of affected areas
Authorities have identified multiple cities and districts across the country that are likely to experience severe weather:
- Punjab and Islamabad:Urban centers such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Murree, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Okara are expected to witness heavy rain and storms.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:Several districts including Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, Chitral, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, and Malakand are on high alert, with flash floods possible in local streams and urban zones.
- Balochistan:Rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is anticipated in Quetta, Zhob, Sibbi, Loralai, and Killa Saifullah.
- Sindh:Parts of the province, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Badin, and the Thar desert region, are expected to receive rain along with strong winds.
- Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir:Heavy snowfall and rain are forecast for Skardu, Hunza, Muzaffarabad, and the Neelum Valley, raising the risk of weather-related disruptions.
Risks of urban flooding and safety advisory
The NDMA has warned that intense rainfall could lead to swollen streams and rivers, with low-lying areas facing the possibility of moderate flooding. Urban localities with inadequate drainage infrastructure are particularly vulnerable to waterlogging and traffic disruptions.
Citizens have been advised to take necessary precautions, limit non-essential travel during the adverse weather spell, and remain attentive to official updates issued by the NDMA and PMD.
Past 24-hour weather summary
Scattered rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms was recorded across several regions of the country over the last 24 hours, with Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and northern Balochistan experiencing the most significant precipitation. Heavy rainfall was reported in multiple locations during this period. Other parts of the country remained under partly cloudy skies.
🌾 Agriculture Weather Alert 30- March 2026.
Rain, storms & hail expected in Punjab & Potohar (Tue)
🌧️ KP & Thal: Rain (Tue–Thu)
❄️ GB: Rain & snowfall
📅 Wed–Thu: Mostly dry
Farmers advised to take precautions. #AgriWeather #PakistanWeather #PMD pic.twitter.com/DJjhorh78g— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) March 30, 2026
Rainfall Amounts (mm):
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Cherat led with 67 mm, followed by Bannu 45 mm, Upper Dir 43 mm, Lower Dir 38 mm, Malam Jabba 41 mm, Peshawar City 39 mm, Peshawar Airport 38 mm, Takht Bai 28 mm, Parachinar 26 mm, Kalam 21 mm, Saidu Sharif 20 mm, Drosh 17 mm, Kakul 14 mm, Chitral 13 mm, Dera Ismail Khan City 13 mm, Dera Ismail Khan Airport 7 mm, Mirkhani 10 mm, Pattan 9 mm, and Balakot 3 mm.
Punjab: Joharabad recorded 38 mm, Karor (Layyah) 17 mm, Islamabad (Zero Point and Saidpur 15 mm, Bokra 12 mm, Golra 11 mm, Airport 10 mm), Rawalpindi (Shamsabad 16 mm, New Kattarian and Chaklala 13 mm, Pirwadahi 12 mm, Gawalmandi 10 mm, Katcheri 9 mm), Murree 13 mm, Attock and Chakwal 12 mm each, Noor Pur Thal 8 mm, Kot Addu 7 mm, Bhakkar 5 mm, Hafizabad 2 mm, Dera Ghazi Khan (Vehova 18 mm, Fort Munro 5 mm, City 1 mm).
Balochistan: Zhob received 24 mm, Barkhan 10 mm, and Sibbi 2 mm.
Kashmir: Muzaffarabad Airport recorded 13 mm, Muzaffarabad City 10 mm, Rawalakot 12 mm, and Garhi Dupatta 8 mm.
Gilgit-Baltistan: Hunza recorded 6 mm, while Skardu, Astore, and Bagrote each received 1 mm.
Flood Warning Issued in Northeastern Balochistan as Heavy Rains Trigger High-Level Flow in Nari River #FloodWarning #Balochistan #NariRiver #FlashFlood #PakistanWeather #PMD #Sibi #Harnai #Kohlu #Loralai #Dukki #Bolan #WeatherAlert #HeavyRain #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/pRCDJdfdK8
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) March 30, 2026
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Balochistan will experience rain with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms from the evening of April 1 through April 4, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir receiving similar weather beginning the night of April 1. Sindh is expected to see rain and thunderstorms from April 2 to April 4. Snowfall is also predicted over mountainous areas in the north during this period.
Authorities have warned of potential flash floods in northeast Balochistan, hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, and local streams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as landslides in vulnerable upper regions. Windstorms, hailstorms, and lightning may damage weak structures and standing crops, particularly in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh.
Farmers are advised to manage their crops accordingly, while tourists and travellers are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel. Daytime temperatures are expected to drop during the forecast period, and the weather system is likely to continue beyond April 4.
At least 17 people, including 14 children, have been killed and 56 others injured in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since March 25, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The casualties resulted from the collapse of roofs and walls caused by heavy rains in districts including Bannu, North Waziristan, Abbottabad, Kohat, Upper Dir, Bajaur, and Battagram. Bannu has been identified as the worst-hit district, with at least 11 houses partially damaged.
The PDMA has directed local administrations to expedite relief efforts and provide immediate assistance to affected families. Intermittent rains are expected to continue until Tuesday, and authorities have urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from vulnerable areas.
