ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that from January 31 to February 4, there will be further moderate to heavy rain, snowfall over the country’s hills, and a risk of flash floods in Balochistan due to the heavy precipitation.
Rain is expected throughout the nation, especially in Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh, Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan, due to a westerly wave that is expected to linger till February 4.
Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Chagi, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Turbat, Kech, Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni, Ormara, Panjgur, Kharan, Noushki, Washuk, Mastung, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, and Qila Saifullah are the areas in Balochistan where rain is predicted on February 2–03.
From January 31 to February 4, with sporadic breaks, moderate to heavy rain and snowfall is predicted in Gilgit-Baltistan, which includes Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar; in Kashmir, which includes Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, from January 31 to February 4 (with sporadic breaks in between), moderate to heavy rain and snowfall over the hills is predicted in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Buner, Bajaur, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan.
In Murree and Galliyat, Punjab and Islamabad, rain with moderate to heavy precipitation and snowfall over the hills is predicted from January 31 to February 1 and February 03 and 04, with sporadic breaks.
Light to moderate rain is predicted for the following locations: Multan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahimyar Khan, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Pothohar region, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Sahiwal, and Okara from January 31 to February 01 and on February 03 and 04, respectively.
Throughout the province of Sindh, cold and partly overcast weather is predicted for other areas, while light to moderate rain is predicted in Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Mirpurkhas, Karachi, Shaheed Benazirabad, Jacobabad, and Kashmore on February 2 and 3.
Regarding the potential effects and recommendations, the PMD stated that on February 2 and 3, local nullahs of Barkhan, Kohlu, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Dalbandin, and Khuzdar may experience flash floods due to heavy rainfall.
On January 31 and February 1, routes in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli may be closed due to landslides caused by moderate to isolated severe rain combined with snowfall over the hills.
It is essential that the tourists exercise caution during this period. Particularly in the Barani regions of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain could be advantageous for standing crops.
The period is expected to see a major decrease in foggy conditions. It is urged that during the forecast time, the relevant authorities stay vigilant and take appropriate action to prevent any unpleasant situations.
