Rain, windstorms forecast in upper parts of Pakistan over the weekend

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain, windstorms and thundershowers in the upper parts of the country over the weekend, with isolated heavy falls expected in some areas.

According to the PMD, moist currents from the Arabian Sea are continuously moving into the upper regions and are expected to strengthen by Saturday evening. The department also said a westerly wave is likely to approach the upper parts of the country on Saturday.

The weather system is expected to affect Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from Friday night through Monday. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain, windstorms and thundershowers are forecast on Saturday and Sunday in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan and Hangu.

Punjab, Islamabad and northern areas in forecast zone

The department said scattered rain, windstorms and thundershowers, with isolated heavy rainfall, are also expected on Saturday and Sunday in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot and Okara.

It added that similar conditions are likely to begin on Saturday night and continue into Sunday, with occasional gaps, in Noor Pur Thal, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar are expected to receive rain, windstorms and thunderstorms from Saturday night to Monday. Isolated rain and windstorms are also forecast in Balochistan districts including Zhob, Sherani, Kohlu, Barkhan, Dera Bugti and Khuzdar on Saturday and Sunday.

Sindh likely to remain hot and humid

For Sindh, the PMD said most areas are likely to experience mainly hot and very humid weather. However, isolated rain is expected on Sunday and Monday in Tharparkar, Sukkur, Shikarpur, Larkana, Dadu and Jacobabad.

The meteorological department advised authorities to stay alert, warning that windstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable structures including solar panels, electricity poles and billboards. It also cautioned that landslides may occur in susceptible areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and کشمیر on Saturday and Sunday.

The PMD said water flow may rise in local streams in Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan during the same period. It further warned that heavy rain could trigger localised urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad.

In its advisory, the department said:

Tourists and travellers are advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travelling during the forecast period,

It also asked farmers to plan crop-related activities according to the expected weather and to protect livestock. The PMD added that the prevailing hot and humid conditions are likely to ease during the forecast period.