Rain With Snowfall Forecasted in Parts of Pakistan: PMD

News Desk

Islamabad: The hills in the western and upper parts of Pakistan are expected to receive rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall on Thursday and Friday. A westerly wave is forecast to enter the country on February 8 (night), grasp upper parts on 09^th, and maybe linger over northern areas until February 10; according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

Under the influence of this weather system, rain, wind, thunderstorms, and snowfall over the hills with a few moderate to isolated heavy falls are anticipated from February 8-10 in Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Chitral, Dir, Swat, Manshera, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Haripur and Abbottabad.

PMD states that rain-wind/thunderstorm with isolated hailstorm is likely to occur from February 09-10 (morning) in Islamabad, Potohar region, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Khushab, Mianwali, Sargodha, Karak, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Buner, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan.

Light to moderate rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills is predicted on February 08 (night) and 09 in Quetta, Zhob, Barkhan, Harnai, Qila Saifullah, Qillah Abdullah, Chaman and Pishin.

From February 8 (evening/night) to February 10, moderate to isolated heavy snowfall may hamper travel and lead to road closures in Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli.

During the forecast period, it is not possible to rule out the risk of landslides in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan.

Visitors are recommended to use increased caution throughout the time. The standing crops, especially in the Barani regions of Punjab and KP, would benefit from the rain. The forecast period is a time when all involved authorities are urged to exercise caution.