The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather forecast indicating heavy snowfall in Murree, Galliyat, and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from February 29 to March 3. The Met Office warns of torrential rainfall and heavy snowfall in most parts of the country during this period, potentially leading to flash floods and disruptions in daily life in vulnerable areas.
Tourists are advised not to travel unnecessarily due to the risk of landslides in upper KP, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan. The Met Office reports that a strong westerly wave is expected to approach western parts on February 29 and may affect most parts of the country from March 1 to March 2.
Anticipated weather conditions include torrential rainfall, heavy snowfall, windstorms, thunderstorms, and isolated hailstorms in various regions. Specific areas mentioned include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Bajaur, Karak, and Khyber, where heavy to extremely heavy widespread rain with windstorms, thunderstorms, and heavy snowfall over the hills are expected.
Other regions likely to experience heavy rain and snowfall include Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan. Additionally, Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur are expected to face heavy to extremely heavy rain with windstorms, thunderstorms, and snowfall.
Balochistan is forecasted to receive heavy rain with windstorms and thunderstorms, including snowfall over the hills. In Punjab and Islamabad, widespread heavy rain with windstorms and thunderstorms is expected to affect various districts.
Sindh is predicted to experience rain, wind, and thunderstorms in several cities, with isolated hailstorms possible. Flash flooding is a concern in Gwadar, Ketch, Turbat, Panjgur, Awaran, Barkhan, Kohlu, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Dalbandin, Khuzdar, and Dera Ghazi Khan on February 29 and March 1. Additionally, hill torrents of KP, Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, and local nullahs of Islamabad and Rawalpindi may face flash flooding on March 1 and 2.
Heavy rain and snowfall could lead to road closures in various areas, including Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli on March 1 and 2.
