The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecast rain and thunderstorms with isolated hailstorms in Karachi, Lahore and other parts of the country this week.

The Met Office predicted that a westerly wave is likely to approach the southwestern parts of Balochistan on April 1 and likely to persist till April 4.

Under the influence of this weather system, it said, Balochistan’s Panjgur, Turbat, Gawadar, Ormara, Quetta, Khuzdar, Chaghi, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, and other districts will receive rain-wind and thunderstorm (with isolated heavy falls/hailstorm) with occasional gaps during this period.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan districts will also experience precipitation from April 1 to 4. Heavy falls and hailstorms are also likely at isolated places in the province during the period, the PMD stated.

It forecast that rain will batter Islamabad and Punjab’s different districts, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Sialkot, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal and Bahawalnagar from April 1 (night) to April 4 with occasional gaps. Heavy falls are also likely in Dera Ghazi Khan and surrounding areas during the said period, it is maintained.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the mountains) is expected in Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir as well during the period, the weather advisory department stated.

In Sindh, the Met Office forecast, rain-wind/thunderstorm (with isolated hailstorm) is expected in Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Dadu, Tharparkar and other districts from April 2 to 4 with occasional gaps.

The PMD has warned that landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the period.

Due to heavy rains, flash floods are expected in northeast Balochistan’s Khuzdar, Awaran, Kharan, Kalat, Mastung, Kohlu, Lasbela, Zhob, Qilla Saifullah, Qilla Abullah and Sherani. Hill torrents may hit Dera Ghazi Khan.

Windstorm/ hailstorm and lightning may damage weak structures, including electric poles, billboards and solar panels, during the forecast period, the department added.

Hailstorm/windstorm may damage standing crops in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. Farmers are advised to manage their crops according to the prevailing weather conditions.

Tourists and travellers are advised to remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.

The PMD said daytime temperatures are likely to decrease during the forecast period as the weather system is likely to continue after April 4.

The weather department advised all concerned authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation.