Rain and dust-thunderstorms forecast in upper parts from May 19 to 23

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast dust-thunderstorms and rain, with occasional gaps, in upper parts of the country from May 19 to May 23.

According to the Met Office, very hot weather is expected to persist in the southern parts of the country in the coming days. It urged local and provincial authorities to stay alert and take necessary steps to prevent any untoward situation.

The PMD said a westerly wave is likely to reach the northwestern parts of the country on the night of May 18 and may remain active over upper regions until May 23. Under the influence of this system, dust-thunderstorms and rain, along with isolated hailstorms, are expected in several areas.

Areas likely to receive rain

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the forecast covers Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu, Waziristan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Karak.

In Punjab and Islamabad, the weather system is expected to affect Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Joharabad, Bhakkar, Layyah, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot and Narowal.

The PMD also predicted similar weather in Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, as well as in Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur.

Warnings and advisory

The Met Office warned that windstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable structures such as electricity poles, billboards and solar panels during the forecast period.

It also advised farmers to plan and manage their agricultural activities in line with the expected duststorms and rainfall.

The forecast comes as the PMD has cautioned that hot conditions are likely to continue in the country’s southern regions even as upper areas are expected to see changing weather over the next several days.