Rain With Snowfall Forecasted in Parts of Pakistan

News Desk

Islamabad: A new westerly weather system is expected to bring rain, thunderstorms and snowfall across northern and western parts of Pakistan from February 8 to 10, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warning of possible road closures and landslides in several mountainous areas.

According to the PMD, the system is expected to enter the country on the night of February 8, affect the upper parts on February 9 and potentially persist over northern areas until February 10.

Moderate to isolated heavy snowfall could disrupt travel in Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli from February 8 to 10.

The weather department has also warned that the snowfall and wet conditions could trigger landslides in parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree and Galiyat, as well as Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Rain and thunderstorms, with isolated hailstorms, are expected in Islamabad, the Potohar region and several districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from February 9 to the morning of February 10.

The affected areas include Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Mianwali, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Kohat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan, among others.

Parts of Balochistan, including Quetta, Zhob, Barkhan, Harnai, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Chaman and Pishin, are also expected to receive rain, thunderstorms and snowfall over the hills on February 8 and 9.

The PMD advised tourists and travellers to exercise caution, particularly in areas vulnerable to heavy snowfall, landslides and road blockages. Authorities have also been urged to remain alert and take precautionary measures during the forecast period.

The rainfall is expected to provide a benefit to standing crops, particularly in rain-fed areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.