ISLAMABAD – Rain-wind/thunderstorms with snowfall over the mountains are expected in parts of Pakistan from March 27 to March 31.

As per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a westerly wave is likely to enter western parts of Pakistan on March 27 (Wednesday). It will likely grip upper and central parts on March 28 and persist till March 31.

Under the influence of this weather system, countrywide rains with snowfall over the hills are likely during this month.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Rain-wind/thunderstorms with snowfall over the mountains are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur, Malakand, Mohmand, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan and Kurram with occasional gaps from March 27 to March 31. Isolated heavy falls and hailstorms are also expected on March 29 and March 30.

Gilgit-Baltistan/Kashmir: Rain-wind/thunderstorms with snowfall over the hills are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) with occasional gaps from March 27 to April 1. Isolated heavy falls and hailstorms are also expected on March 29 and March 30.

Punjab/Islamabad: Rain-wind/thunderstorms are expected in Murree, Galyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha and Mianwali with occasional gaps from March 27 (evening/night) to March 31. Rain-wind/thunderstorms are also expected in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Kot Addu, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khanpur, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar with occasional gaps from March 28 to March 30. Isolated windstorm/hailstorm is also expected in the province during the forecast period.

Balochistan: Rain-wind/thunderstorms are expected in Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Sibbi, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Kalat and Khuzdar from March 27 to March 29. Dry weather/dust-raising winds are expected in southern parts of the province.

Sindh: Rain-wind/thunderstorms are expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana and Dadu on March 28 and March 29. Dry weather/dust raising winds is expected in southern parts of the province.

Possible Impacts and advises:

Moderate to heavy rainfall may trigger landslides in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and may affect the vulnerable points March 29 and March 30. Windstorm/hailstorm and lightning may damage standing crops, loose structures like electric poles, vehicles and solar panels. Tourists and farmers are advised to remain cautious during the wet period. Temperatures are likely to drop during the wet spell.