The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecasted widespread rain-wind and thunderstorms with snowfall over the hills across various regions of the country during the upcoming week.

“A strong westerly weather system is expected to enter the western parts of Pakistan on the evening or night of February 24 and will extend to the upper parts by February 25, persisting in northern areas until March 2,” it said in a statement.

Widespread rain-wind, thunderstorms with intermittent heavy snowfall are predicted in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar in Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur in Azad Jammu and Kashmir from February 25 to March 2.

Heavy rainfall and snowfall are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Waziristan, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan from the night of February 24 to March 1.

Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected in Murree, Galliyat, and surrounding areas from February 25 to March 1. “Rain-wind and thunderstorms are also forecasted for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum during the same period.”

Rain-wind, thunderstorms are also expected in Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, and Toba Tek Singh from February 25 (evening/night) to February 28.

Additional districts such as Jhang, Bhakkar, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Taunsa Sharif, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Okara, Bahawalnagar, and Bahawalpur will experience rainfall from February 25 to February 27.

Rain-wind/thunderstorms with snowfall over hills are anticipated in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Mastung, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chagai, Nushki, Kalat, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Harnai, Zhob, and Musakhel from February 24 (evening/night) to February 26.

Light rain winds and thunderstorms are expected in Larkana, Qambar Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, and Sukkur on February 25-26.

Warning

Moreover, the PMD warned that heavy snow might disrupt travel in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, and Poonch.

“Heavy rain could trigger flash floods in vulnerable areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and AJK between February 25 and March 1,” it said and added that mountainous regions of KP, GB, AJK, Murree, and Galliyat may experience landslides.

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Some plain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad might see hailstorms.

Tourists have been urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy snowfall and rainfall periods.

The PMD has advised all relevant authorities to remain on “high alert” and take necessary precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents, especially in hilly areas. The National Disaster Management Authority, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, and State Disaster Management Authorities have been urged to implement safety protocols accordingly.