Temperatures to plunge as wet spell starts today
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Thursday predicted rain and snowfall in the upper parts of the country from today, while the central and southern regions would receive rain and snow from January 20 to 23, as the authorities issued advisories asking tourists to take precautions during the forecast period.
According to the Met office, a shallow westerly wave is likely to approach the upper parts of the country from January 16 and may persist till January 19, and is likely to strengthen from January 20 and grip most parts of the country from January 21.
Rain and snowfall are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar; Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, and Buner districts from January 16 (evening/night) to January 19, with occasional gaps. From January 18 to 20, Murree and Galiyat will also receive light rain and snow.
From January 20 to 23, widespread rain is expected in Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Potohar, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Bahawalpur. Peshawar, Hazara, Malakand, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan will also receive rain with occasional gaps.
NDMA says ‘strong cold wave’ likely to affect GB, KP and Azad Kashmir
Meanwhile, heavy snowfall is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Murree, Galiyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli, and Rawalakot from January 20 (night) to 23, with occasional gaps.
On January 21 and 22, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Musakhel, Turbat, Gwadar, Lasbela, Kech, Awaran, Chaghi, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk, and Kharan in Balochistan will receive rainfall.
Similarly, moderate to heavy snowfall in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Harnai, and Zhob is also expected during this period.
Sindh’s Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jacobabad, Naushero Feroz, Kashmore, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, and Ghotki will experience rain with occasional gaps on Jan 22 and 23.
The authorities warned that the heavy snowfall could cause road closures and slippery conditions in the mountainous areas from January 21 (night) to 23.
It stated that there was a possibility of landslides and avalanches in the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, advising tourists to remain cautious.
“Fog condition is likely to diminish in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and upper Sindh during the wet spell. Daytime temperatures are likely to drop significantly during the period,” it stated.
‘Strong cold wave’
On the other hand, the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a weather alert regarding a strong cold wave expected to affect Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir over the coming days.
It advised the public to avoid non-essential travel to high-altitude and snowfall-prone areas and to ensure the use of snow chains where travel is unavoidable.
Citizens are urged to make adequate arrangements for heating, warm clothing, and shelter, with particular attention to protecting vulnerable populations, it added.
Local communities are advised to remain vigilant and strictly follow advisories issued by relevant local authorities. The NDMA directed all provincial and district authorities to remain on high alert and ensure preparedness for snow clearance operations, emergency response, and timely restoration of essential services, including electricity and communications.
Punjab issues alert
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) also issued an alert for rain in most districts of the province.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia stated that all arrangements should be completed in advance and staff in emergency control rooms should remain on alert 24 hours a day.
He said that disaster response teams of Rescue 1122 should also be kept on high alert, and citizens should avoid unnecessary travel in bad weather conditions.
He advised the tourists in Murree to take precautionary measures and follow the instructions.
He said that facilitation centres were established at various places in Murree for the convenience of tourists, and citizens should avoid speeding and sudden braking, use fog lights while travelling, and follow the precautionary measures issued by the public.
Imran Gabol in Lahore also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2026