The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a major weather alert on Friday, predicting a fresh westerly wave to approach the northwestern parts of the country on the evening of May 02, persisting in upper regions until the morning of May 05.
The department has warned that widespread dust-thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and strong winds are expected to batter upper and central Pakistan over the coming days, urging authorities and the public to remain vigilant.
According to the Met Office, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is set to be the most severely affected province during this weather system.
Dust-thunderstorms, isolated heavy falls, and hailstorms are expected across a vast stretch of the province including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan from the evening of May 02 through May 04, with occasional gaps.
Punjab and the federal capital Islamabad will also be significantly impacted. Dust-thunderstorms and isolated hailstorms are forecast for Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Narowal from the evening of May 02 through the night of May 04. Additionally, rain-windstorms and thunderstorms with isolated hailstorms may strike Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Multan, and Khanewal on May 03 and 04.
The weather system is also expected to make its presence felt in the northern regions. Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Guanche, and Shigar, is forecast to experience rain-wind and thunderstorm activity from the night of May 02 until May 05.
Azad Kashmir, covering Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur, faces a similar outlook, with heavy falls and hailstorms anticipated over the same period. Balochistan will not be spared either, with windstorm and thunderstorm activity expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Kohlu, Zhob, Barkhan, and Loralai from May 02 to May 04. Upper Sindh is also likely to experience dust-thunderstorms on May 02 and 03.
The Met Office has highlighted several potential impacts of this weather system. Windstorms, hailstorms, and lightning pose a risk of damaging weak structures such as electric poles, billboards, and solar panels. Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir, particularly on May 03 and 04. Farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Punjab have been specifically advised to take timely measures to protect their standing crops from potential hailstorm and windstorm damage. The department stated that the prevailing intense heat gripping the plains of the country is likely to ease during the forecast period.
However, tourists and travelers have been strongly advised to exercise extra caution and avoid unnecessary travel to affected regions.
All relevant authorities have been directed to remain on high alert and take all necessary precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents throughout the forecast period.