The meteorological department has predicted that a westerly wave will reach the northwestern regions of Pakistan starting April 16 and is expected to continue until April 19. This weather system is forecast to bring rain, windstorms, and thunderstorms to most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accompanied by isolated heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and snowfall over mountainous areas from the evening of April 16 through April 19.
Meanwhile, light rain with wind and thunderstorms is anticipated in isolated locations such as Orakzai, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan on April 17 and 18. The Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Potohar region, and other districts of Punjab are also expected to experience rainfall with wind, thunderstorms, and occasional hailstorms between April 16 and 18.
In southern Punjab, districts including Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Bhakkar, Khushab, Noorpurthal, Multan, and Khanewal may witness wind and thunderstorms during the forecast period. Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir are likely to receive rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms, with moderate to isolated heavy rainfall and snowfall over the mountains from April 16 to 19, though there may be occasional breaks in precipitation.
Balochistan districts are forecast to experience rainfall with strong winds and thunderstorms on April 17 and 18. Upper Sindh districts are expected to face wind and dust storms from April 16 to 18. There is a risk of landslides in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir from April 17 to 19.
Notably, wind, hailstorms, and lightning during this period may cause damage to weak structures such as electric poles, billboards, and solar panels. Additionally, hailstorms and windstorms could harm standing crops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Punjab. Due to heavy rainfall, flash floods are anticipated in susceptible areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Batgram, Chitral, as well as Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir’s Neelum Valley.
