Rainy Eid Ahead as Westerly System Sweeps Pakistan
News Desk
Islamabad: A strong westerly weather system is expected to bring widespread rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms across large parts of Pakistan from March 17 to 20, potentially affecting travel plans during the Eid ul Fitr holidays, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned.
According to the Met Office, the system, known as a seasonal westerly wave, is likely to enter the western regions of the country on the evening or night of March 17 and gradually spread to most areas by March 18 before weakening around March 20.
The approaching weather system is expected to lower daytime temperatures and trigger rain and thunderstorms in many cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta.
Balochistan will be the first region to feel the impact, with rain, strong winds and occasional thunderstorms forecast in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur and Awaran from the evening of March 17 until the morning of March 20. Isolated hailstorms may also occur in some areas.
In Sindh, cloudy weather with intermittent rain and thunder is expected on March 18 and 19 in Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Mirpurkhas, Badin and Thatta.
Read Nore: https://thepenpk.com/pmd-warns-of-severe-weather-across-pakistan-this-weekend/
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is likely to experience rain, gusty winds and thundery spells across several districts including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan. Snowfall is also expected over the region’s higher mountains, while isolated hailstorms may occur in some locations.
Punjab and the Islamabad capital region are also forecast to receive rain with strong winds and possible hail from the night of March 17 through the morning of March 20. Major cities including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha and Sahiwal are likely to see intermittent showers during this period.
Southern Punjab, including Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan, is expected to receive rain and thunderstorms between March 18 and 19.
Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir will see cloudy conditions with rain and thundery spells, along with snowfall in higher areas such as Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu, Diamir, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Poonch, Mirpur and Kotli. Some areas of Kashmir may receive heavier rain during the period.
The Met Office has cautioned that landslides may occur in mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir due to rain and snowfall, while lightning strikes are also possible during thunderstorms.
Authorities have advised travelers planning Eid journeys to remain cautious, monitor weather updates and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain spells.
Farmers have also been urged to take precautions to protect standing crops, as isolated hailstorms and strong winds could cause damage in some areas.
All relevant departments have been alerted to remain prepared to respond to any weather-related emergencies during the forecast period.
