Weather Department Predicts Heavy Rain and Snowfall

A strong westerly wave is likely to approach western parts of the country on 24th February, (evening/night) and may grip upper parts on 25th February, and is likely to persist in the Northern areas till 2nd March, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted.

Under the influence of this weather system, the PMD has issued the following forecast for different regions of the country.

Gilgit Baltistan/Kashmir:

Widespread rain-wind/thunderstorm with little heavy snow/rainfall 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 25th February to 02nd March with occasional gaps.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:

Widespread rain-wind/thunderstorms with little heavy snow/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 24th February (night) to 01st March with occasional gaps.

Punjab/Islamabad:

Rain-wind/thunderstorm with moderate to heavy snowfall in Murree, Galliyat, and surroundings from 25th February to 01st March with occasional gaps. While in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum from 25th February to 01st March 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 25th February (evening/night) to 28th February, and in Jhang, Bhakkar, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Taunsa Sharif, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara and Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur from 25th to 27th February

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 24th evening/night to 26th February, 2025.

Sindh:

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

Possible Impacts and advises:

• Heavy rain/snowfall may cause road closure/ 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.
• Heavy rainfall may generate flash floods in vulnerable areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir from 25th February to 01st March.
• Possibility of landslides in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, and Galliyat during the forecast period.
• Hailstorm is also expected at isolated places in plain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad.
• Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious and may avoid unnecessary traveling during heavy episodes of snow/rainfall.
• Rain may be beneficial for the standing crops, especially in Barani areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.