The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted rainfall and thunderstorms across the country from March 24 to March 30.
In a press release, the Met Office said that 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.
Under the influence of this weather system, 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.”
In Punjab, the 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.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain-wind/thunderstorm with few heavy falls 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 widespread rain-wind/thunderstorm with isolated heavy falls over the hills was expected in these areas from March 28 to March 3o. Hailstorms are also likely at isolated places during the period.
The rain 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.
Meanwhile, in Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir, rain-wind/thunderstorm 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.
Hailstorm/ heavyfall is likely at isolated places in Kashmir during the period, it said.
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.
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.
