KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday predicted rainfall and thunderstorms across the country from March 24 to March 30 with “occasional gaps”.

In a press release, the Met Office said, “A western disturbance is likely to approach southwestern parts of Balochistan on March 24 (evening/night) and likely to intensify from the night of March 27 and may persist till March 31.”

Balochistan

Under the influence of this weather system, the press release said, in Balochistan, “rain-wind/thunderstorm with few heavy falls (with isolated hailstorm) is expected in Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Makran Coast (Gawadar, Pasni, Ormara) Lasbela, Khuzdar, Kharan, Chaghi, Dalbandin, Kalat, Sibi, Kohlu, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Quetta, Loralai, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Mastung from March 24 (evening) to March 25 (night) and from March 27 (night) to March 29 (morning) with occasional gaps.”

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it predicted that “rain-wind/thunderstorm with few heavy falls (snowfall over the hills)” was expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Bunner, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Kurram, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan, from March 25 (evening/night) to March 26 (morning).

The press release added that “widespread rain-wind/thunderstorm with isolated heavy falls (snowfall over the hills)” was expected in these areas from March 28 to March 3o.

Hailstorms are also likely at isolated places during the period.

Punjab

For Punjab, the press release stated that “rain-wind/thunderstorm (with isolated hailstorm) was likely in Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Noorpurthal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Pakpattan, Okara, Kasur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan from March 25 to March 26 (morning) and from March 28 (evening) to March 30 with occasional gaps.”

The PMD predicted the same for Murree, Galiyat and Islamabad.

Sindh

It said that “rain-wind/thunderstorm (with isolated hailstorm)” was also expected in Sindh’s Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Dadu, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Larkana and Karachi on March 25/26 and from March 28-29, with occasional gaps.

GB and Kashmir

Meanwhile, in Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir, the press release said, “Rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is expected in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Guanche, Shigar, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from March 25 (evening/night) to March 26 and from March 28 to March 30 with occasional gaps”.

“Hailstorm/ heavyfall is likely at isolated places in Kashmir during the period,” it said.

It added that the landslides might occur in “vulnerable areas” of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the forecast period.

“Due to heavy rains, flash floods are expected in Balochistan from March 25 to 28, while in local streams and nullahs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from March 28 to 30,” it added.

The press release said that windstorms or hailstorms and lightning might also damage weak structures, including electric poles, billboards, and solar panels.

Windstorms and hailstorms could also damage standing crops in Punjab, KP and Sindh, the PMD said, advising farmers to “manage their crops according to the prevailing weather conditions”.

It further advised tourists and travellers to remain “extra cautious” and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.

The Met Office said, “All concerned authorities are advised to remain ’vigilant’ and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.”