News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted rain with snowfall over the mountains in western and upper parts of the country over the weekend (Saturday till Monday) which would bring temperature down from two to four-degree Celsius.
As reported by Met office a westerly wave entering western parts of the country on Saturday will prevail in the upper parts on Sunday and may persist till Monday afternoon.
Snowfall over Mountains
Under the influence of the said weather system, rain-wind-thunderstorm with isolated hailstorm along with snowfall over the hills is expected in Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir (Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Neelum valley, Hattian, Bagh, Kotli, Bhimber, Haveli, Sudhanoti and Mirpur), Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza, Astore, Ghizer, Shigar and Ghanche), Chitral, Dir (Upper and Lower), Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, from Saturday evening or night till Monday (January 30).
Rain in Upper Parts
While rain-wind-thunderstorm is expected in Islamabad, Lahore, Potohar region, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhang, Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Sheikhupura, Khushab, Mianwali, Nankana Sahib, Sargodha, Peshawar, Karak, Charsadda, Nowshera, Buner, Swabi, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan (North and South), Bannu, Kohat, and Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday till Monday.
Light to moderate rain with wind and thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills is expected in parts of Baluchistan including Quetta, Barkhan, Zhob, Harnai, Qillah Abdullah, Chaman, Qila Saifullah, Pishin, Panjgur, Turbat, Kalat, Khuzdar, and Makran coast on the evening of January 28th till January 29.
Meanwhile, light rain is also expected in Bhakkar, Multan, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Sukkur, Okara, and Pakpattan during the same period.
About the possible impacts, moderate to isolated heavy snowfall may interrupt and cause closure of different roads in Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir (Upper), Swat, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Shangla, Astore, Skardu, Hunza, Bagh, Poonch, Neelum valley, and Haveli from January 28 (night) till January 30.
Met Office also reported possible landslides in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Galiyat, Murree, GB, and Kashmir during the forecast period.
Precautions during Rain, Snowfall
The Met Office has advised tourists to remain extra cautious during the coming spell. It added that the rain will be beneficial for the standing crops, especially in Barani areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The met office has advised all concerned authorities to remain vigilant to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.