Rain and thunderstorms forecast across northern Pakistan from April 12 to 17

The National Disaster Management Authority has issued a nationwide advisory warning of rain, thunderstorms and strong winds across northern and central regions in the coming days.

The authority said intermittent rainfall is expected in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan from April 12 to 17, with chances of thunderstorms, dust storms and gusty winds, while some areas may also receive hail.

Rainfall is likely in Islamabad and several Punjab cities, including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Mianwali and Mandi Bahauddin.

Conditions in Sindh and Balochistan are expected to remain hot and dry, with a gradual rise in daytime temperatures, while Karachi is likely to stay warm with humidity and sea breezes limiting heatwave intensity.

Mountainous areas are forecast to receive both rain and snowfall, with higher elevations in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir likely to see snow and lower regions expected to receive rainfall.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur are expected to experience thunderstorms, while Swabi, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Kohat, Karak, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan may see strong winds and rain.

The NDMA warned that lightning, hail and strong wind gusts could damage weak structures, uproot trees and disrupt electricity supply.

It added that wet road conditions may affect traffic, while continued rainfall in hilly areas could increase the risk of landslides, advising citizens to follow official updates and safety instructions during the period.