RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, snow and thunderstorms in the upper parts of the country as well as Balochistan over the next two days, as a westerly wave is likely to approach the western parts of the country on Feb 8 (today).
The PMD said that due to the new weather system, landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, warning that snowfall may cause traffic disruptions and slippery conditions in the hilly areas on Feb 9 and Feb 10. Tourists have been urged to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.
Under the influence of this weather system, rain accompanied by wind and thunderstorms, with snowfall over the hills, is expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chaghai, Nushki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Mastung, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Khuzdar, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur and Awaran on Feb 8 and 9.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain-wind/thunderstorms with snowfall over the hills are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Peshawar, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Kurram, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan on 9 and 10 February. Hailstorms are likely at isolated places during this period.
Rain, wind and thunderstorm are expected at isolated places in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
While Lahore will be partly cloudy, rain-wind/thunderstorms with snowfall over the hills are expected at isolated places in other parts of Punjab including Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khushab, Jhang, Noorpur Thal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot and Narowal from the evening of Feb 9 to Feb 10. Windstorms may occur in southern districts.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir: Rain-wind/thunderstorms with snowfall are expected in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, as well as in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur on 9 and 10 February. Hailstorms are likely at isolated places in Kashmir during this period.
In Sindh, partly cloudy to cloudy weather is expected across most districts, with light rain or drizzle and gusty winds likely in coastal areas on Feb 8 and 9.
