The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain and hailstorms in parts of the country, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while the NDMA has advised the public to remain cautious in view of the weather alert.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain and hailstorms in parts of the country, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while the NDMA has advised the public to remain cautious in view of the weather alert. In an alert issued at 8am on Monday, the weather department forecast rain in the Potohar region, Murree, Galiyat and other areas.
According to the department, a weather system responsible for the rainfall is developing over the Potohar and Kohat regions. As a result, strong winds, thunderstorms and rain are expected in Kohat as well as Attock, Talagang, Chakwal, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree and Galiyat over the next few hours. The Meteorological Department also said that some areas could experience hailstorms during this weather spell.
Earlier, an alert issued by the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned of heavy rain and strong winds in several parts of the country over the next 12 to 24 hours. According to the statement, the current weather pattern is consistent with the seasonal climate outlook issued for the April-to-June period. It said that Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir were expected to receive rain accompanied by strong winds and hailstorms.
According to the alert, strong winds, thunderstorms and rain are expected in Islamabad, Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Gujar Khan, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Layyah, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Lahore, Kasur, Mianwali, Jhang, Sargodha and Multan.
Regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the alert said that rain was expected in several districts, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mardan, Bajaur, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan, with a possibility of hailstorms in some areas.
‘Avoid visiting glacial lakes and dangerous slopes’
The NDMA has also warned that rising temperatures could accelerate glacier melting in the northern areas, while glacial lake outburst events could also occur, increasing the risk of landslides and flooding. The authority has advised the public to avoid visiting glacial lakes and dangerous slopes. Travelers have also been urged to exercise caution, as adverse weather conditions could cause difficulties, particularly in mountainous areas. Strong winds and hailstorms could damage vulnerable structures, solar panels and vehicles.
The authority has urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, remain in safe places and follow the instructions issued by local administrations. The NDMA warned that strong winds and hailstorms could damage weak structures, solar panels and vehicles. It urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather, stay in safe locations during storms, and follow instructions issued by local administrations and weather advisory authorities.
