ISLAMABAD: The Meteorological Department has forecast a westerly wave approaching the western parts of Pakistan on Sunday, 25th January, which is expected to affect the upper regions of the country on 26th January.
The system is likely to bring widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and snowfall in various parts of the country over the coming days.
According to the Met Office, Balochistan including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Turbat, Gwadar, Jiwani, Kech, Awaran, Chaghi, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk, and Kharan is expected to experience rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall on the night of 25th January and continuing through 26th January.
Northern Areas and Kashmir are likely to experience rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall, with some areas receiving heavy snowfall.
This includes Gilgit-Baltistan Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ganche, Shigar, Kashmir Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli.
Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Buner, Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi, Malakand, Mardan, Kohat, Kurram, Khyber, Hangu, Bajaur, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Waziristan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujrat, Sargodha, Mianwali, Gujranwala, Multan, Layyah, Bhakkar, and Dera Ghazi Khan on 26th and 27th January, with intermittent breaks.
According to MET office impacts and precautions are heavy snowfall may lead to road closures and slippery conditions in hilly and northern areas including Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noushki, Harnai, and Zhob.
Possibility of landslides and avalanches in hilly areas of Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.
Tourists are advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel during this period.
Daytime temperatures are expected to drop across affected regions.
The Meteorological Department has urged all relevant authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to prevent any untoward incidents during the forecast period.
Read also: PDMA sounds alarm over worsening weather situation
