A westerly wave is predicted to hit Balochistan on March 9th and continue to the upper areas on March 11th, followed by another westerly wave on March 12th.
Under the impact of these weather systems, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has given the following forecasts for various regions of the country.
Baluchistan Region
Rain-wind/thunderstorm with isolated heavy falls in Turbat, Kech, Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni, Ormara, Panjgur, Kharan, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, and Awaran on March 9th (evening/night) and 10th.
Thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is anticipated in Chagi, Noushki, Washuk, Mastung, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, and Qila Saifullah from March 10th to March 13th, with occasional intervals.
KPK Region
Rainfall thunderstorms (snowfall over the hills) are expected in Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Bajaur, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, and Kurram from March 10th (evening/night), 11th (evening/night), and 12th (evening/night) to 14th. Isolated severe rain and hail are also forecast on March 13th and 14th.
Gilgit-Baltistan/Kashmir
Rainfall is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar) and Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from March 11th and 12th (night) to March 15th.
Punjab/Islamabad
Thunderstorm with few heavy falls is expected in Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, and Bhakkar from March 11th (evening/night) to 14th.
On March 13th, rain, wind, and thunder are anticipated in Multan, Kot Addu, Layyah, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khanpur, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar. Isolated hailstorms are also possible around this time.
Sindh Region
Rain-wind are forecast in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, and Dadu on March 10th and 12th, throughout the evening/night. Weather in the province’s south is forecast to be dry and windy.
Possible Impacts and Advice:
Heavy rains may create flash flooding in the local nullahs of Gwadar, Ketch, Turbat, and Panjgur on March 9th (night), while snowfall may disrupt transportation movement in northern Balochistan from March 10th to 13th.
Landslides in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan may harm the area’s vulnerable points during the rainy season.
Windstorms and hailstorms can cause damage to unsecured structures such as electric poles, automobiles, and solar panels.
Tourists are warned not to travel unnecessary distances, while farmers should exercise caution with their crops.
To read our blog on “Heavy rains causes urban flooding in Karachi,” click here
