The Met Office has shared that a powerful westerly wave is expected to move towards western areas on February 29th and could affect most parts of the country by March 1st, lasting until March 2nd.
Under the influence of this weather system, Met Office has made the following predictions.
Balochistan: Widespread heavy rain with windstorm/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is expected in Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Chagi, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Turbat, Kech, Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni, Ormara, Panjgur, Kharan, Noushki, Washuk, Mastung, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah and Qila Saifullah from 29th Feb & 01st March. Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Heavy to extremely heavy widespread rain with windstorm/thunderstorm (Heavy snowfall over the hills) is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Bajaur, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan from 29th Feb to 03rd March. Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.
Gilgit-Baltistan/Kashmir: Heavy to extremely heavy widespread rain with windstorm/thunderstorm & snowfall is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from 29th Feb to 03rd March. Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.
Punjab/Islamabad: Widespread heavy rain with windstorm/thunderstorm is expected in Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali and Bhakkar on 01st & 02nd March.
During the upcoming period, Murree, Galliyat, and the surrounding areas are expected to experience heavy snowfall. Additionally, Multan, Kot Addu, Layyah, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khanpur, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar may encounter rain, wind, and thunderstorms from February 29th to March 2nd. There’s also a possibility of isolated hailstorms during this time.
Sindh: Rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad Karachi,
Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Khairpur and Mirpurkhas on 29th Feb & 01st March. Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.
Possible Impacts and advises:
- Heavy rainfall might lead to sudden flooding in the local streams and water channels in areas like Gwadar, Ketch, Turbat, Panjgur, Awaran, Barkhan, Kohlu, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Dalbandin, Khuzdar, and Dera Ghazi Khan on February 29th and March 1st. Similarly, heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, as well as the local streams in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on March 1st and 2nd.
- Heavy rain/snowfall may cause closure of roads in Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli on 1st and 2nd March.
- Landslides in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan may affect the vulnerable points in the area.
- Strong windstorms accompanied by thunder or hail may cause damage to structures such as electric poles, vehicles, and solar panels.
- Tourists should avoid traveling if it’s not necessary, and farmers should be careful with their crops.