ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, wind and thunderstorms in several upper regions of the country from March 9 to March 12 due to the arrival of a westerly weather system.
According to a press release issued by the National Weather Forecasting Centre, a westerly wave is expected to enter the western parts of Pakistan on Monday evening and persist until March 12, bringing unsettled weather conditions across multiple areas.
Under the influence of this weather system, partly cloudy to cloudy weather with moderate rain, wind and thunderstorms is expected in districts including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battgram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur, as well as parts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. Some areas may experience heavy rainfall during this period.
Light rain
Light rain and thunderstorms are also likely in Khyber, Mohmand, Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Bajaur, Bannu, Waziristan, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu and Mianwali on March 10 and 11.
Meanwhile, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Islamabad, the Pothohar region, Murree and Galliyat between the night of March 9 and March 11, with occasional breaks in precipitation. The Met Office also warned of possible isolated hailstorms in Islamabad and other upper parts of the country during the forecast period.
Authorities warned that daytime temperatures may drop by 3–4°C in northern regions. The department also cautioned that landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
Tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, while farmers have been urged to manage crops according to prevailing weather conditions. PMD also noted that winds could carry pollutants into western Pakistan due to the ongoing situation in Iran, potentially affecting air quality.
