The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an alert regarding possible weather conditions across the country, stating that the current situation is in line with the forecast released in January.
According to the alert, westerly winds are likely to bring rain with strong and gusty winds to most parts of the country during the next 12 to 24 hours. Snowfall is also expected in upper and mountainous of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within the same period.
Thunderstorms, windstorms and hail are likely in different of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also expected to experience thunderstorms during the next 12 to 24 hours.
Rain with gusty winds is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Battagram, Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, DI Khan and Waziristan.
In Islamabad and several cities of Punjab including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Gujar Khan, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Chiniot, Jhang, Faisalabad and Mandi Bahauddin, snowstorms and thunderstorms are expected over the next 12 to 24 hours. Rain is also forecast for Narowal, Sargodha, Jhang, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Kasur, Gojra, Layyah, Borewala, Okara, DG Khan, Multan and Bahawalpur.
In Sindh, rain with strong winds and thundershowers is expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Jamshoro, Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Nowshera Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Tando Allah Yar and Tando Muhammad Khan during the next 12 to 24 hours.
Rain is also expected in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir including Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Astore, Diamer, Khurmang, Shigar, Ghizer, Nagar, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli, Poonch, Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber and Neelum Valley.
Storms and thunderstorms are also forecast in Balochistan cities including Quetta, Zhob, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Ziarat, Kalat, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Barkhan, Sibi, Noshki, Khuzdar, Awaran, Washuk, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar and Lasbela during the next 12 to 24 hours, along with rain and strong winds. The NDMA has warned that strong winds, lightning and hailstorms may damage weak structures, trees, standing crops and power lines.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a weather alert forecasting a fresh spell of rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms across most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from April 7 to 9.
According to PDMA, a strong westerly weather system is expected to enter the province and affect multiple regions. Rainfall with snowfall over mountains is likely in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Buner, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, and Abbottabad.
Similarly, rain and windstorms are expected in Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Kohat, Kurram, Orakzai, Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, and Tank.
The authority warned that heavy rainfall and hailstorms are also likely at various places on April 7 and 8.
PDMA cautioned that the ongoing weather conditions may trigger landslides in upper districts and cause swelling in streams and nullahs. There is also a risk of flash flooding in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Malakand, Buner, Abbottabad, and Kohistan, while urban flooding may occur in low-lying areas of Peshawar, Mardan, and Nowshera.
Strong winds and hailstorms may damage weak structures, electricity poles, and solar panels, while standing crops across the province may also be affected. Farmers have been advised to take precautionary measures.
The authority has directed district administrations to ensure preparedness, including the mobilization of rescue teams and the availability of resources. Instructions have also been issued to keep major highways open, maintain traffic flow, and provide alternate routes where necessary.
Relevant departments have been asked to clear drainage systems to prevent urban flooding and take immediate precautionary measures.
Tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay informed about weather conditions, while the general public has been urged to keep away from floodwaters, streams, and vulnerable locations during heavy rains.
A spokesperson of PDMA said that the Emergency Operation Center remains fully functional, and citizens can report any untoward incident by calling helpline 1700, the statement added.