The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned that a new weather system is approaching the country. According to the Met Office, a westerly wave is expected to reach western regions and remain active until March 12, bringing clouds, rain, and thunderstorms to several areas.
Under the influence of this system, partly cloudy to cloudy conditions are expected in many northern districts. Moderate rain with wind and thunderstorms may occur in areas including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battgram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur. Some locations in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir may also receive rain, with a few places possibly experiencing heavy downpours.
Light rain and thunderstorms are also likely in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These include Khyber, Mohmand, Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Bajaur, Bannu, Waziristan, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu and Mianwali. The weather activity in these areas is expected mainly between March 10 and March 11.
In Islamabad, the Pothohar region, Murree and the Galliyat, rain and thunderstorms are forecast during the same period. The Met Office says these spells may come with occasional breaks between showers.
Officials also warned that isolated hailstorms may occur in Islamabad and some upper parts of the country during the forecast period. Because of the cloudy weather and rainfall, daytime temperatures in northern regions are expected to drop by about 3 to 4 degrees Celsius.
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Authorities have cautioned that landslides may occur in vulnerable mountainous areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir. Travelers and tourists have been advised to remain careful and avoid unnecessary journeys during the weather spell.
For weather tomorrow, farmers have also been advised to manage their crops according to the changing weather conditions so that potential damage can be minimized.
Meanwhile, officials noted that the recent situation in Iran may affect air quality in western parts of the country. Winds moving across the region could carry pollutants, leading to a temporary decline in air quality levels.
Weather systems from the west often bring sudden rain and temperature drops in northern Pakistan. Such conditions can benefit crops but may also create travel problems in mountainous areas. People living in hilly regions should stay alert because landslides can occur after heavy rainfall.
