Met Office forecasts rain and thunderstorms in parts of Balochistan, KP and Punjab

Islamabad: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain and thunderstorms in parts of northeast Balochistan, lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and south Punjab on Monday, while isolated areas in Sindh, upper and central Punjab, south and central Balochistan, upper KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir are also expected to receive rain later in the day.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Met Office said “Widespread rain-windstorm/thunderstorm (with isolated heavyfalls and hailstorm) is expected in northeast Balochistan, lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and south Punjab, while partly cloudy weather with rain windstorm/thunderstorm is likely at isolated places in Sindh, upper/central Punjab, south/central Balochistan, upper KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during evening/night of Monday.”

The PMD also warned of possible flash floods in local nullahs and streams in northeast Balochistan, lower KP and the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan on April 6 because of heavy rainfall. Landslides and flash flooding may also occur in local nullahs or streams in Kashmir, upper KP, Murree and Galiyat on April 7 and 8.

The department cautioned that strong winds, hailstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including electric poles, billboards and solar panels, during the forecast period. Hailstorms and windstorms may affect standing crops in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

For Islamabad and adjoining areas, the PMD said partly cloudy conditions are expected, with rain and thunderstorms likely during Monday evening and night.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the department forecast widespread rain, windstorms and thunderstorms, along with snowfall over high mountains, in Waziristan, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kohat, Hangu, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Swabi, Charsadda, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot and Haripur. Isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms are also likely in some lower districts.

In Punjab, mainly partly cloudy weather is expected in most districts. The PMD said widespread rain, windstorms and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms, are likely in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanpur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan and Khanewal. Isolated rain and thunderstorms may occur in Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Toba Tek Singh, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Khushab, Noorpur Thal and Pakpattan during the evening and night.

For Sindh, the Met Office predicted cloudy weather in most districts, with rain, windstorms and thunderstorms, including isolated heavy falls and hailstorms, expected at scattered places in Sukkur, Kashmore, Ghotki, Jamshoro, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Larkana and Qambar Shahdadkot. Isolated rain and thunderstorms may also occur in Dadu, Naushero Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Mitiari, Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Thatta, Badin and Karachi on Monday.

In Balochistan, the PMD said widespread rain, windstorms and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms, are likely in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Mastung, Sibi, Kohlu, Naseerabad and Loralai. Light to moderate rain and thunderstorms are also expected at isolated places in Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, the Makran coast including Gwadar, Pasni and Ormara, as well as Lasbela and nearby areas.

The department further said partly cloudy weather with rain and thunderstorms is expected in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during Monday evening and night.