Light rain in Lahore and its surrounding areas in the wee hours of Wednesday turned the weather cooler and also delayed the departure of winter season.
Rain was also reported from other cities of Punjab including Mianwali, Kalabagh, Chashma and Kandiya.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa heavy rainfall occurred in Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan and surrounding areas, causing roads to submerge under rainwater, which disrupted traffic flow.
Meanwhile, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has forecast rainfall with thunderstorms and strong winds across various parts of Pakistan until March 25.
According to the NDMA’s National Emergency Operations Center, a new western weather system will affect northern and western areas, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galyat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Lahore, and surrounding regions, bringing rain and winds.
Upper Punjab may see hail and thunderstorms at some locations, while southern Punjab cities like Multan, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dera Ghazi Khan are also expected to receive rainfall. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, most districts may experience intermittent rain and strong winds.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir could see rainfall and snow in hilly areas. Balochistan may experience storms and rain from March 17-23, while Sindh remains mostly dry except for scattered rainfall in Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Dadu, Karachi, and Hyderabad.
Islamabad reported light and heavy rain in different areas, prompting the district administration to take immediate steps.
In this regard, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad, Irfan Memon directed all assistant commissioners to move into the field and review the situation in their respective areas. The instructions aim to ensure smooth management during the rainfall and to address any issues without delay.
According to the directive, assistant commissioners have been asked to closely monitor low-lying areas and water channels where accumulation is more likely. Special focus has been placed on ensuring that water does not collect in residential zones or disrupt traffic flow.
The deputy commissioner also ordered sanitation teams to begin work on drainage without delay. These teams have been mobilized to clear water from roads and streets and to keep the drainage system functional during the rain.
Officials said that monitoring of the situation is ongoing across the city. The district administration is keeping track of rainfall conditions and response efforts in all sectors to maintain normal activity and reduce inconvenience for residents.