ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted heavy rains and snowfall across the country from January 2 till January 7, a PMD spokesperson said earlier this week.
A strong westerly wave is likely to enter western and upper parts of the country by Sunday night. It is likely to grip most parts of the country on Monday and may persist till Friday, according to the PMD.
Under the influence of this weather system, several districts in Sindh, Balochistan and southern Punjab are expected to receive isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall from Sunday till Thursday.
The Met office predicted isolated heavy falls of rain in Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and central Punjab from Monday till Friday, along with heavy snowfall in Quetta, Pishin, Ziarat, Qilla Abdullah, Harnai, Chaman, Murree, Galliyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli, Rawalakot, Naran, Kaghan, Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu, Astore, Chitral, Dir, Swat and Malam Jabba.
“Heavy rainfall may generate flash flooding in vulnerable parts of [Balochistan’s] Sibbi, Bolan, Kalat, Khuzdar, Naseerabad, Kohlu and Kohe Suleman during 03rd to 05th January,” the PMD spokesperson said.
“Heavy snowfall may cause road closures [in] Quetta, Pishin, Ziarat, Qilla Abdullah, Harnai, Chaman, Murree, Galliyat, Nathiagali, Kaghan, Naran, Dir, Swat, Chitral, Astore, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Neelum Valley, Bagh and Haveli districts from 04th to 06th January.”
Commuters ride along a waterlogged street following a heavy rainfall on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, on June 16, 2021. (AFP/File)
Heavy rains are expected to lash Quetta, Ziarat, Pishin, Zhob, Qila Abdullah, Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Noshki, Turbat, Panjgur, Gwadar, Pasni, Jiwani, Lasbella, Kalat, Khuzdar, Mastung, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, Jhalmagsi, Bolan, Sibbi, Kohlu, Barkhan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Rajanpur, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Okara, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dadu, Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Mirpurkhas and Khairpur.
Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Kashmir, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Malakand, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Charsadda, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore and Kasur are likely to witness heavy falls of rain.
The Met office advised authorities to remain alert during the forecast period.
