The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, wind, and thunderstorms with snowfall over hills across various parts of the country, with occasional gaps, from March 9 (tomorrow).

“A shallow westerly wave is likely to enter northern parts of the country on March 9 [evening/night] and is expected to strengthen from March 12 and will persist till March 16,” the PMD said in its forecast

Under the influence of this weather system, rain, wind, and thunderstorms with snowfall over hills and isolated heavy falls are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Bunner, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Murree, Galliyat, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur from March 09 to March 16.

Similar weather is also expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Haripur, Kurram, Bannu, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Karak, Hangu, Kohat, and Khyber on March 10.

From March 12 to March 16, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Khushab, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Mianwali, and Dera Ismail Khan.

On March 14 and 15, rain, wind, and thunderstorms with snowfall over the hills are expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Mastung, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chagai, Nushki, Barkhan, Khuzdar, Harnai, Zhob, Sherani, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bahawalnagar, Okara, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Adu, Rahim Yar Khan, Kashmore, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Larkana, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, and Okara.

The Met Office warned that heavy rainfall and snowfall might cause road closures and slippery conditions in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli on March 10 and from March 12 to 15.

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“There is a risk of landslides and avalanches in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir during this period. Hailstorms are also expected at isolated places in upper KP, upper Punjab, Islamabad, and Kashmir,” it said.

The PMD warned that tourists and travellers visiting mountainous areas are advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel from March 13 to 16.

Farmers have been advised to manage their activities in accordance with the forecast. “All concerned authorities are advised to remain on alert and take necessary measures to prevent any untoward incidents, particularly in hilly regions.”