The Met Office has issued a weather alert, forecasting a strong westerly wave set to impact the western parts of Pakistan from February 29, extending its reach across most regions until March 2. Predictions indicate widespread heavy rain accompanied by windstorms and thunderstorms, with potential snowfall over hills in various areas.
Balochistan is bracing for heavy rain in numerous cities including Nokkundi, Dalbandin, and Quetta from February 29 to March 1, with isolated instances of hailstorms expected. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is anticipating heavy to extremely heavy rain, particularly in areas such as Chitral, Swat, and Peshawar from February 29 to March 3, with isolated hailstorms.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir are also in the line of the storm, with forecasts predicting heavy to extremely heavy rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall in regions including Skardu, Muzaffarabad, and Neelum Valley from February 29 to March 3, accompanied by isolated hailstorms.
In Punjab, including Islamabad/Rawalpindi, widespread heavy rain coupled with windstorms and thunderstorms is expected on March 1 and 2, with heavy snowfall anticipated in Murree and Galliyat. Sindh, on the other hand, is likely to experience rain and thunderstorms in cities like Karachi and Hyderabad on February 29 and March 1, with isolated occurrences of hailstorms.
Potential impacts of this weather phenomenon include flash flooding, road closures due to heavy rain and snowfall, landslides in vulnerable areas, and possible damage to structures. Travel advisories advise tourists to avoid unnecessary travel, while farmers are urged to take precautions to protect their crops from adverse weather conditions.
| Province | Cities | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Balochistan | Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Chagi, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Turbat, Kech, Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni, Ormara, Panjgur, Kharan, Noushki, Washuk, Mastung, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah | Widespread heavy rain with windstorm/thunderstorm expected from 29th Feb & 01st March. Isolated hailstorm likely during the period. Snowfall over hills expected. |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Bajaur, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan | Heavy to extremely heavy widespread rain with windstorm/thunderstorm expected from 29th Feb to 03rd March. Isolated hailstorm likely during the period. Heavy snowfall over hills expected. |
| Gilgit-Baltistan/Kashmir | Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) | Heavy to extremely heavy widespread rain with windstorm/thunderstorm & snowfall expected from 29th Feb to 03rd March. Isolated hailstorm likely during the period. |
| Punjab/Islamabad | 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, Bhakkar | Widespread heavy rain with windstorm/thunderstorm expected on 01st & 02nd March. Heavy snowfall expected in Murree, Galliyat, and surrounding areas. Rain-wind/thunderstorm expected from 29th Feb to 02nd March in other areas. Isolated hailstorm likely during the period. |
| Sindh | Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Khairpur, Mirpurkhas | Rain-wind/thunderstorm expected on 29th Feb & 01st March. Isolated hailstorm likely during the period. |
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