PMD forecasts rain, thunderstorms across northern Pakistan | The Express Tribune

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and snowfall in northern parts of the country over the next 24 hours, warning of flash flooding and damage to weak installations.

According to the PMD, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad and Punjab are expected to be hit by gusty winds, dust storms, thunderstorms and rain, while mountainous areas may receive snowfall.

Officials cautioned that heavy downpours could trigger flash flooding in rain-fed streams and nullahs in districts including Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and parts of Kashmir.

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The Met Office further warned that stormy conditions — influenced by hailstorms, lightning and high winds — may disrupt daily life and pose risks to vulnerable infrastructure such as mud houses, walls, electricity poles, billboards, solar panels and vehicles. Travelers and tourists are advised to plan their journeys carefully in line with the prevailing conditions.

Islamabad and adjoining areas are likely to witness cloudy skies with rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds. Some areas could experience heavy showers and hail.

In K-P, widespread rain and thunderstorms are expected in districts including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Batagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Kohat, Nowshera, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Waziristan and Kurram. Heavy rainfall and hail may also hit in some areas.

Punjab is forecast to receive rain and thunderstorms across multiple districts, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Layyah, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Khanewal, Multan, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Kot Addu and Dera Ghazi Khan. Heavy showers and hail are also expected in some locations.

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Most of Sindh is expected to remain hot and dry, though Umerkot, Tharparkar and some coastal areas may see partly cloudy skies, light rain and thunderstorms. In Balochistan, weather is likely to remain dry and hot except for partly cloudy conditions along the coast.

Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are also forecast to receive rain, thunderstorms and strong winds, with chances of heavy rain and hail in certain areas.

In the last 24 hours, Punjab, K-P, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir witnessed rainfall with thunderstorms and strong winds, while heavy showers were reported in some districts. The rest of the country remained largely hot and dry.

The PMD has urged citizens to stay vigilant, follow weather advisories, and take necessary precautions during the ongoing unstable conditions.