ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) on Monday issued a weather advisory warning of a strong westerly wave which is expected to impact various regions of the country from 24th February to 1st March 2025.
It said the system is likely to bring rain, wind, thunderstorms, and hailstorms, along with snowfall in northern and western parts of the country.
According to the advisory, Islamabad, upper Punjab, central and southern/northeastern Punjab, is expected to experience rain, wind, and thunderstorms accompanied by snowfall or hailstorms. Heavy rainfall may trigger flash floods in vulnerable areas.
In Balochistan, rain, wind, and thunderstorms with snowfall over hills are expected in western northwestern, and northern parts of the province, with the possibility of flash flooding in susceptible regions.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is expected to experience rain, wind, thunderstorms, and hailstorms, with snowfall over the hills in Upper and Western KP. The advisory also warns that heavy rainfall in northern KP could lead to flash flooding and landslides.
In Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), rain, wind, thunderstorms, and hailstorms are anticipated, along with snowfall over the hills, which may disrupt travel and daily activities. Meanwhile, Sindh is predicted to have mostly cold and dry weather throughout the period.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is closely monitoring the evolving situation and coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure timely response and mitigation efforts.
Authorities have issued warnings regarding the potential hazards associated with this weather system, particularly the risk of heavy snowfall in Murree and other northern regions, which may impact travellers. The NDMA urges the public to use the “Pak NDMA Alert App” to stay updated about weather updates before travelling.
Last month the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued an alert about emerging drought conditions in the country after scarce rainfall. Met Office stated that drought conditions emerging in the country as Pakistan received below normal rainfall (-40%) from 01st September 2024 to 15th Jan 2025 period across the country.
Sindh province received 52% lesser rainfall during the period, the PMD said in its report about drought conditions. The recent rainfall across the country did not bring substantial rain to the plains, worsening the drought conditions.
According to the PMD, Balochistan received 45% less rainfall, while Punjab saw a 42% reduction compared to normal levels.
