Rain, thunderstorms forecast in upper parts of country from June 2 to 5

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast dust storms, thunderstorms and rain in upper parts of the country from June 2, with the weather system expected to continue until June 5.

In an advisory issued on Monday, the PMD said a westerly wave is likely to approach the upper parts of the country during the forecast period.

In Punjab and Islamabad, scattered dust storms and thunderstorms accompanied by rain are expected, with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms at a few places. The forecast covers Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, D.G. Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Layyah.

Forecast for KP, Kashmir and GB

The PMD said scattered rain, windstorms and thunderstorms, along with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms, are expected in Kashmir from June 2 to June 5. Areas named in the advisory include Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain and thunderstorms are expected intermittently in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar from June 4 to June 6.

For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the department forecast scattered rain and thunderstorms with occasional gaps between June 2 and June 5 in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Bajaur, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Mohmand, Khyber, Waziristan, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu and Kurram. Bajaur was also listed in the advisory.

Sindh and Balochistan also likely to be affected

The PMD said upper Sindh is also expected to receive dust storms and thunderstorms from June 2 to June 4, including Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Dadu, Ghotki, Kashmore, Shikarpur and Shaheed Benazirabad.

In Balochistan, similar weather is forecast in the northeastern parts of the province from June 2 to June 4. The advisory names Quetta, Zhob, Sherani, Ziarat, Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Barkhan and Dera Bugti.

Warnings and advice

The meteorological department warned that the weather system could damage vulnerable structures. It also cautioned that landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir from June 3 to June 6.

The PMD advised farmers to manage their crops in line with the expected weather conditions and urged tourists to remain careful during the forecast period. It also directed relevant authorities to stay alert and take the necessary precautionary steps.