NDMA warns of rain, thunderstorms and strong winds across country

Islamabad: The National Emergencies Operation Centre of the National Disaster Management Authority has issued a weather alert warning of rain, snowfall, thunder, lightning and strong winds in most parts of the country over the next 12 to 24 hours due to a westerly weather system affecting the region.

According to the NDMA advisory, Islamabad and several cities in Punjab are expected to receive rain along with thunder, strong winds and windstorms during the period, with authorities urging residents to remain careful.

The forecast for Punjab includes Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Gujar Khan, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot and Mandi Bahauddin. Further rainfall is also likely in Narowal, Sargodha, Jhang, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Kasur, Okara, Burewala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan and Bahawalpur.

The press release said snowfall is expected in upper and mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the next 12 to 24 hours. Rain accompanied by thunder, strong winds and windstorms is also likely in parts of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and KP.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the areas identified in the advisory include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Battagram, Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan.

The authority also warned of a flooding risk in parts of KP, including Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda and Mardan, saying the threat may continue until April 5.

In Sindh, rain with thunder and strong winds is expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Jamshoro, Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar and Tando Muhammad Khan.

Rain is expected in various areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir over the next 12 to 24 hours, including Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Astore, Diamer, Kharmang, Shigar, Ghizer, Nagar, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli, Poonch, Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber and Neelum Valley, the advisory noted.

For Balochistan, the NDMA said rain along with strong winds and windstorms is likely in Quetta, Zhob, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Ziarat, Kalat, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Barkhan, Sibi, Nushki, Khuzdar, Awaran, Washuk, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar and Lasbela.

The NDMA has directed provincial and district administrations to stay alert for possible severe weather. It warned that strong winds, lightning and hail may damage vulnerable structures, trees, crops and power lines.

The advisory said rainfall could disrupt traffic and make roads slippery, while snowfall in mountainous areas may affect travel. It also warned that prolonged downpours could increase the risk of landslides.

Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, drive carefully and follow official instructions.

Tourists heading to northern areas should check weather and road conditions in advance, while timely updates are available through NDMA’s official app, Pak NDMA Disaster Alert, it noted.