The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rain and snowfall in parts of Pakistan between March 14 and 16 as a new western weather system approaches the country.

According to the department, the fresh spell of western winds is likely to enter the northwestern regions by Saturday evening.

Rain is expected in several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Abbottabad, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Peshawar, Kurram, Kohat, Bajaur and Haripur.

Cloudy weather with thunderstorms is also expected in parts of Balochistan, including Zhob, Barkhan, Chaman and Ziarat.

Meanwhile, rainfall is forecast for Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, the Galiyat region and parts of Punjab, including Attock.

The weather department also said another western disturbance could enter the country’s western regions on the night of March 17.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority Punjab has issued an alert ahead of the forecast rainfall from March 14 to 16.

According to a PDMA spokesperson, rain and thunderstorms are expected in many districts across Punjab. Commissioners and deputy commissioners have been alerted to take precautionary measures.

Cities including Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sargodha, Mianwali, Sheikhupura, Gujrat, Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Jhang, Chiniot and Dera Ghazi Khan are also expected to receive rainfall.

Officials said temperatures in the upper parts of Punjab may drop by three to four degrees Celsius due to the weather system.

Authorities have advised the public to avoid open areas during thunderstorms due to the risk of lightning, while farmers have been urged to take precautionary steps in view of the changing weather conditions.