LAHORE: Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General retired Flt Lt Imran Qureshi says a strong westerly wave is likely to enter Pakistan on March 21 and it will affect most parts of the country from March 22 onwards.

According to the meteorological department, heavy rains and hailstorms are expected with gusty winds and thundershowers from March 21 to 24 in Lahore, Islamabad, Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Khushab, Mianwali, Sargodha, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan and Bahawalpur.

The PDMA has issued the advisory, stating that there is a risk of inundation of low-lying areas in Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi due to heavy rains. It warns of flooding in ravines in DG Khan, Islamabad and Rawalpindi due to heavy rains from March 22 to 24. Strong winds and hailstorms can damage standing crops and weak infrastructure while there can be landslides in Murree, a statement issued by the authority says.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2023