RAWALPINDI: A wet and cold week is expected as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted another spell of rain in most parts of the country, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and snow over the hills from Feb 24 to March 1.

The Met Office predicted that a strong westerly wave will likely approach western parts of the country on Feb 24 (evening/night), impact upper parts on Feb 25 and persist in the country’s northern areas till March 2.

Under the influence of this weather system, widespread rain wind and thunderstorm with few heavy snowfall is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Guanche, Shigar), Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from February 25 to March 2 with occasional gaps.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, widespread rain-wind and thunderstorm with few heavy snow and rainfall are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Bunner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Waziristan, Kohat, Karak, Bannu and D.I. Khan from Feb 24 (night) to March 1 with occasional gaps.

Rain and wind thunderstorm with moderate to heavy snowfall in Islamabad, Murree, Galliyat, and surroundings are expected from Feb 25 to March 1 with occasional gaps.

In Rawalpindi division, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum are likely to receive rain from Feb 25 to March 1 with occasional gaps.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, T.T Singh from Feb 25 (evening/night) to Feb 28 and in Jhang, Bhakkar, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Taunsa Sharif, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara and Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur from Feb 25 to 27.

In Balochistan, rain-wind/thunderstorm with snowfall over hills is expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Mastung, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chagi, Noushki, Kalat, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Harnai, Zhob and Musakhel (with occasional gaps) from February 24 evening/night to February 26.

In Sindh, rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Larkana, Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, and Sukkur on February 25 and 26.

According to the Met Office, heavy rain/snowfall may cause road closure and slippery conditions in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli during the forecast period.

It stated that the heavy rainfall may generate flash flood in vulnerable areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir from Feb 25 to March 1.

It warned of the possibility of landslides in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, and Galliyat durin the rain. Hailstorm is also expected at isolated places in plain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad. It advised tourists to remain extra cautious and should avoid unnecessary travelling during heavy episodes of snow and rainfall.

However, it stated that rain may be beneficial for the standing crops, especially in barani areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2025