RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain-wind/thunderstorm from March 25 to 27.

According to the Met Office, a strong westerly wave has approached the western/upper parts of the country and will affect upper and central parts from March 25 to March 27.

Under the influence of this weather system, widespread rain-wind/thunderstorm, with snow over the mountains and heavy falls is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir from March 25 to 28 with occasional gaps.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm with snow over high mountains and a few heavy falls/hailstorms are expected in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera and Swabi from March 25 to 27 with occasional gaps.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm is also expected in Waziristan, Kohat, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and D.I. Khan on March 25 and 26. Isolated hailstorm is also expected during the period.

In Punjab and Islamabad, rain-wind/thunderstorm with few hailstorms is expected in Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura and Faisalabad from March 25 to 27 with occasional gaps.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm is also expected in Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Muzaffargarh, Taunsa Sharif and Khanewal on March 25 and 26.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm has been predicted in Balochistan districts of Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Musakhel, Chaman, Mastung, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Loralai, Barkhan, Sibbi, Khuzdar, Chaghi and Noshki on March 25 and 26.

Similarly, wind/duststorm is expected at isolated places in upper parts of Sindh from March 25 and 26.

The Met Office has warned that wind-duststorm/hailstorm and lightning may damage loose structures like electric poles, trees, vehicles and solar panels.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2025