The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted rain with snowfall over the hills in upper parts of Pakistan during the coming days.
According to the weather update, the Met Office informed that a westerly wave affecting North Balochistan is likely to grip the upper parts of the country on 20th January (night) and may persist till 25th January with occasional gaps.
The weather update said that light to moderate rain-win with snowfall over the hills (isolated hailstorm) is expected in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Pothohar region, Kohistan, Swat, Dir, Chitral, Mansehra, Haripur, Abbottabad, Karak, Charsada, Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi, Buner, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Bannu, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib from 21st to 24th January with occasional gaps.
Light rain/drizzle is also expected in Multan, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahimyar Khan, Sukkur and Dera Ismail Khan on 20th and 21st January.
Furthermore, the PMD said that Rain-wind (moderate to isolated heavy snowfall) is expected in Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), Murree, Galiyat, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Kohistan, Mansehra and Abbottabad from 23rd to 25th January.
As a result, the Heavy snowfall may disrupt and cause closure of roads in Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli during the forecast period. Landslides in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan may also occur during the forecast period.
Tourists are advised to remain extra cautious during the spell and temperatures are likely to fall significantly after the spell.
Meanwhile, the rain will be beneficial for the standing crops particularly in parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The PMD has advised all concerned authorities to remain alert to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.
Read more: Punjab Weather Update – 20th January 2023.
