RAWALPINDI: Wind-dust/thunderstorm and rain are expected in the upper and central parts of Punjab in the coming weeks, bringing respite to people from the current heatwave.

According to the Met Office, a westerly wave is likely to enter western and upper parts of the country on Monday (today), which is likely to persist during the week with occasional gaps.

Under the influence of this weather system, wind-dust/thunderstorm-rain with hailstorm (isolated heavy falls) is

expected in Kashmir (Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar), Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Bannu, Tank, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan, Islamabad, Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum from May 22 (evening/night) to May 26.

Wind-dust/thunderstorm-rain (with isolated hailstorm) is also expected in Sargodha, Mianwali, Layyah,

Khushab, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Sheikhupura, Nankana, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin,

Narowal, Sialkot, Kasur, Pakpattan, Okara, Sahiwal, Lahore, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalnagar, Multan, D.G. Khan and Rajanpur from May 23 (evening/night) to May 26.

Wind-dust-thunderstorm/rain is also expected in Balochistan (Quetta, Zhob, Barkhan, Qilla Saifullah, Qilla Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Noshki, Naseerabad, Kalat, Khuzdar, Sibbi, Turbat and Panjgur) and upper Sindh (Sukkur, Dadu, Jacobabad and Larkana) on May 22 (evening/night) till May 24.

The Met Office warned that dust storm/wind storm might cause damage to structure and standing crops in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir during the spell from May 23 to May 25.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2023