The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains and snowfall in hilly areas in parts of the country from March 10.

“A westerly wave is likely to entre Balochistan on 09th March and likely to extend to upper parts on 11th March. Followed by another westerly wave on 12th March,” the Met Office said in a statement.

Under the influence of these weather system, rain-wind/thunderstorm with few heavy falls is expected in Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali and Bhakkar from March 11 till March 14, it added.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain-wind/thunderstorm and snowfall over the hills is expected in Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Bajaur, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan and Kurram from March 10th to March 14, according to the Met Office forecast.

The PMD advised tourists against unnecessary travel as it warned of landslides in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan during the spell.

Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur are also expected to receive rain-wind/thunderstorm and snowfall over the hilly areas from March 11 till March 15.

Meanwhile, the Met Office also predicted rain-wind/thunderstorm in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana and Dadu on March 10 and 12th March while dry and windy weather is expected in southern parts of the province.

Several region of Balochistan including Turbat, Kech, Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni, Ormara, Panjgur, Kharan, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella and Awaran are likely to receive rain-wind/thunderstorm with isolated heavy falls in on March 9 and 10.

“While, rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is expected in Chagi, Noushki, Washuk, Mastung, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah and Qila Saifullah from 10th to 13th March with occasional gaps,” the Met Office predicted.