The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a forecast for dust-thunderstorms affecting various regions of the country from June 2 to 5, influenced by an approaching westerly wave expected to reach the upper areas on Tuesday, June 2.
Scattered dust-thunderstorm rain accompanied by isolated heavy showers and hail is anticipated in Islamabad and numerous districts across Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Layyah during this period with occasional intervals.
Meanwhile, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, scattered rain, wind, and thunderstorms with isolated heavy downpours and hailstorms are expected from June 2 to 5 in locations such as Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur, also with intermittent breaks.
In a significant development, Gilgit-Baltistan will experience rain, wind, and thunderstorms from June 4 to 6 in areas including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar, again with occasional pauses.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also forecast to receive scattered rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy rainfall and hail from June 2 to 5. Affected districts include Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Bajaur, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Mohmand, Khyber, Waziristan, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu, and Kurram.
Dust-thunderstorm rain is predicted in northeastern Balochistan from June 2 to 4, covering Quetta, Zhob, Sherani, Ziarat, Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Barkhan, and Dera Bugti. Similarly, upper Sindh will see dust-thunderstorms from June 2 to 4 in areas such as Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Dadu, Ghotki, Kashmore, Shikarpur, and Shaheed Benazirabad.
The PMD has issued warnings that windstorms, hailstorms, and lightning may cause damage to vulnerable infrastructure, including solar panels, electric poles, and billboards during this period. It also cautioned about the potential for landslides in susceptible zones of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir from June 3 to 6.
Farmers are advised to adjust their crop management strategies in line with the expected weather conditions. Tourists and travelers are urged to exercise heightened caution and avoid unnecessary travel throughout the forecast period.
Authorities have been called upon to stay alert and implement necessary precautionary measures to mitigate any adverse impacts during these days of unsettled weather.
