The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an urgent weather alert warning of approaching windstorms, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall expected to impact various parts of the country within the next four to six hours.
This severe weather system is forecast to affect several regions including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The PMD highlighted that the atmospheric conditions will bring strong, gusty winds accompanied by thunderstorms, with some areas potentially experiencing intense downpours and hailstorms.
Specifically, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the alert covers Swat, Shangla, Chitral, Buner, Malakand, Kurram, Waziristan, Mansehra, Haripur, Mingora, Abbottabad, Battagram, Kohistan, Dir, and surrounding localities. Meanwhile, in Kashmir, the affected zones include Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Rawalakot, Garhi Dupatta, and nearby areas.
In Balochistan, the warning extends to Barkhan, Musakhel, Zhob, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, and Kohlu. Punjab’s Mianwali, Khushab, and Sargodha, along with adjacent mountainous resorts, are also expected to face adverse weather conditions. Additionally, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, and the Galliyat region have been placed under alert.
In a significant development, the PMD has urged the general public, especially tourists visiting northern mountainous regions and resort areas, to exercise heightened caution. It emphasized the importance of following safety protocols during the severe weather and staying informed with the latest updates as the situation evolves.
