Met Office forecasts rain, snowfall in upper parts of country from tomorrow

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday, there will be another rain spell accompanied by snowfall in upper parts of the country from September 28 to September 30, as the monsoon season draws to a close.

As a result of a forecast issued by the PMD today, a westerly wave is expected to enter the upper parts of the country by Thursday (evening or night) with rainfall, wind, and thunderstorms (moderate to isolated heavy falls) being expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur, Diamer, Diamer, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar) during the course of the week.

Kohat, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Haripur, Kurram, Waziristan, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Murree, Galliyat, Pakistan are also expected to receive rain-wind/thunderstorms with hailstorms at isolated places as well. On Thursday and Friday night, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur and Sheikhupura will also see hailstorms.

A storm, rain-dust, and thunderstorm were also forecasted to occur in the following parts of the country: Zhob, Barkhan, Layyah, Bhakkar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar.

According to the department, snow is expected to fall over high mountains in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan during this period.

It is important to keep in mind that the PMD has warned that windstorms can damage loose structures like electricity poles, solar panels, billboards, etc. with regards to the impact of the rain.

“Temperatures will likely drop significantly” during and after the rain spell, according to the report, which reiterated that farmers should adjust their crop activities in accordance with the conditions.

In order to avoid any untoward situations during the period, tourists and travellers were also advised to remain cautious.

It is recommended to the general public to stay in a safe place during windstorms, lightning, moderate or heavy rains, according to the PMD.

As a result, it recommended to all concerned authorities that they remain vigilant during the forecast period.