RAWALPINDI: The Met Office on Monday forecast rain-wind/thunderstorm in many parts of the country, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad from April 24 to 29.

It said a westerly wave was likely to enter western parts of Pakistan on April 24 (night) and likely to grip most upper parts of the country on April 26.

Under the influence of this weather system, rain-wind/thunderstorm (few moderate/heavy fall) is expected in Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Pakpattan and Sahiwal from April 26 to 29.

In Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Kot Addu, Muzaffargarh, Rahimyar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khanpur, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar with occasional gaps from April 26 to 28. Hailstorm is also expected at isolated places during the period.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm (with isolated heavy falls) is expected in Nushki, Pishin, Harnai, Zhob, Barkhan, Gwadar, Kech, Awaran, Chaghi, Kharan, Kalat, Mastung, Jhal Magsi, Naseerabad, Sibbi, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Loralai, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Quetta, Ziarat, Shirani and Musakhel in Balochistan from April 24 (night) to 27.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain-windstorm/thunderstorm with snowfall over high mountains is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan and Kurram with occasional gaps from April 25 (evening/night) to 29.

In Gilgit-Baltistan/Kashmir, rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall over high mountains is also expected in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur with occasional gaps from April 26 to 29.

In Sindh, dust-thunderstorm/light rain is expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Dadu, Qambar Shahdad Kot, Jamshoro and Sanghar on April 25 and 26.

The Met Office warned that isolated/moderate to heavy rainfall may generate flash floods in nullahs/streams of Balochistan especially Nushki, Pishin, Harnai, Zhob, Barkhan, Gwadar, Kech and Awaran on April 26 and 27 and in Dir, Swat, Chitral, Mansehra, Kohistan and Kashmir on April 27 and 28.

Landslides in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan may affect the vulnerable locations from April 27 to 29.

Farmers especially in wheat-harvested areas have been advised to manage their crops keeping in view the weather conditions. Tourists are advised to avoid unnecessary traveling particularly from April 26 to 29. Temperatures are likely to drop during the wet spell.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2024