The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted rain, wind, and thunderstorms, accompanied by snowfall in hilly regions, across various parts of the country from March 9. These weather conditions are expected to continue intermittently.
According to the PMD, a shallow westerly wave is likely to enter the northern regions on the evening or night of March 9. This system is expected to intensify by March 12 and persist until March 16.
Under the influence of this weather system, rain, wind, and thunderstorms, along with snowfall over the hills and isolated heavy rainfall, are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Buner, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Murree, Galliyat, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur between March 9 and March 16.
Similar weather conditions are anticipated in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Haripur, Kurram, Bannu, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Karak, Hangu, Kohat, and Khyber on March 10.
Between March 12 and March 16, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Khushab, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Mianwali, and Dera Ismail Khan.
On March 14 and 15, rain, wind, and thunderstorms, along with snowfall over the hills, are likely in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Mastung, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chagai, Nushki, Barkhan, Khuzdar, Harnai, Zhob, Sherani, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalnagar, Okara, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Adu, Rahim Yar Khan, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Larkana, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, and Okara.
The Met Office has cautioned that heavy rain and snowfall may lead to road closures and slippery conditions in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli on March 10 and from March 12 to 15.
There is also a risk of landslides and avalanches in mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir during this period. Isolated hailstorms are expected in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, upper Punjab, Islamabad, and Kashmir.
Tourists and travellers planning to visit mountainous regions have been advised to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel between March 13 and 16.
Farmers are encouraged to plan their activities according to the forecast, while authorities have been urged to stay alert and take precautionary measures, especially in high-risk areas.
