Web Desk
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain-wind-thunderstorm in most parts (Particularly upper parts) of the country during March 16-20, which would possibly take down the mercury by six to eight degree Celsius.
According to the met office, a westerly wave is likely to enter the upper parts of Pakistan on 16 March (Thursday) may grip upper and central parts on March 17, and persist for three to four days.
Under the influence of this weather system, rain-wind with thunderstorms is expected in various parts of Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, and Kashmir.
Rain, wind and thunderstorm in upper parts
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain-wind with thunderstorms with few heavy falls predicted in Chitral, Dir Upper, Dir Lower, Swat, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Kohistan, Haripur, Peshawar, Kohat, Karak, Charsada, Swabi, Nowshera, Bajaur, Kurram, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, North and South Waziristan from 16-20 March.
Rain in Punjab and Sindh
In Islamabad and Punjab, rain-wind-dust and thunderstorm with isolated heavy shower and hailstorm is predicted in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal, Sialkot and Lahore from 16-20 March.
While rain-wind and thunderstorms are expected in Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Khanewal, Kot Addu, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, and Pakpattan from 17-19 March.
The Sindh province is also expected to receive rain, wind-dust, and thunderstorm in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Mirpurkhas, and the provincial capital Karachi from 17-19 March.
Prediction in Balochistan, GB, and Kashmir
In Balochistan, wind-dust/thunderstorm-rain is expected in the capital Quetta, Zhob, Khuzdar, Dera Bugti, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Harnai, Qila Saifullah, Qillah Abdullah, Pishin and Chamman, from 17-19 March.
In Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, rain-wind and thunderstorm with few heavy showers and hailstorm is expected in Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Bagh, Hattian, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Ghizer, Hunza, Gilgit, Shigar and Ghanche) from 16-20 March.
About the possible impacts, the PMD predicted that wind-hailstorm may cause damage to weak infrastructure and standing crops in different parts of the country.
Amid the rain, the temperature is likely to fall 6-8 degrees Celsius during the whole spell, adding that the rain will benefit the Barani areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, GB, and Kashmir.
The possibility of landslides in upper areas of KP, Kashmir, GB, Murree, and Galliyat cannot be ruled out during the said period.
The PMD has advised tourists to remain cautious from 16 to 20 March.
The relevant authorities have also been advised to remain alert to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.
