The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning for widespread rain, snowfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds across much of Pakistan over the coming 12 to 24 hours as a westerly weather system impacts the region.
Rainfall accompanied by thunder, strong gusts, and windstorms is anticipated in Islamabad and multiple cities of Punjab, including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Gujar Khan, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, and Mandi Bahauddin. Additionally, further showers are forecast in Narowal, Sargodha, Jhang, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Kasur, Okara, Burewala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Bahawalpur. Authorities have urged residents in these areas to exercise caution.
In a significant development, snowfall is expected in the higher mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within the next 12 to 24 hours. Meanwhile, rain along with thunderstorms, strong winds, and windstorms is likely in various parts of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and KP.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts forecasted to be affected include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Battagram, Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan. Officials have cautioned about possible flooding in several KP areas such as Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, and Mardan, with flood risks expected to continue until April 5.
In Sindh, rain accompanied by thunder and strong winds is forecast across numerous districts including Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Jamshoro, Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, and Tando Muhammad Khan.
Rainfall is also expected in the Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir regions, affecting areas such as Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Astore, Diamer, Kharmang, Shigar, Ghizer, Nagar, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli, Poonch, Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber, and Neelum Valley.
In Balochistan, rain with strong winds and windstorms is predicted over the next 12 to 24 hours in Quetta, Zhob, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Ziarat, Kalat, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Barkhan, Sibi, Nushki, Khuzdar, Awaran, Washuk, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar, and Lasbela.
The NDMA has instructed provincial and district authorities to remain vigilant for severe weather conditions, highlighting that strong winds, lightning, and hail could cause damage to vulnerable structures, trees, crops, and power lines. Rainfall may disrupt traffic and create slippery road conditions, while snowfall in mountainous regions could hinder travel and persistent downpours may increase the risk of landslides.
Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary journeys, drive with caution, and adhere to official guidelines. Tourists planning to visit northern areas are urged to check weather and road conditions beforehand. Timely updates can be accessed through the NDMA’s official mobile application, Pak NDMA Disaster Alert.
