A powerful meteorological system to the west has swept away Pakistan, causing widespread rain, thunderstorms and snowfall in various regions, according to the Pakistan meteorological department (PMD).
PMD officials said the system had entered the country’s western parts for the first time and was to move to the upper regions by February 25, lingering over the north areas until March 2.
In addition, torrential rains and thunderstorms, as well as strong snowfall in hilly areas, can strike Gilgit-Baltistan, affecting Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar.
In its forecasts for Azad Jammu and Cashmere, the meteorological office expects similar weather conditions prevailing mainly affecting the Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur, February 25 to March 2.
In addition, heavy rains and thunderstorms are likely to wedge the regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, notably Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Manshra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Biner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Waziristan, Kohat, Karak, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan from Monday evening to March 1.
Murree Hills, Galliyat and neighboring areas should receive moderate to strong snowfalls between February 25 and March 1, depending on the last weather prospects of the meteorological department.
From February 25 to 28, showers and thunderstorms are also planned for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Multan.
Meanwhile, the new system should also bring rain and snowfall into some parts of Balutchistan – like Quetta, Ziarat, Shaman, Mastung and Pishin – until February 26.
Larkana, Jacobabad, Sukkur and Qambar Shahdadkot are in light rain from February 25 to 26.
Alerting residents and tourists, weather forecasts prove with a warning that strong snowfall could disturb trips to Murrier, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Manshra, Abbottabad and Skardu.
Sudden floods are also a possibility in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and cashmere between February 25 and March 1, while mountainous areas can face landslides. Certain simple regions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Islamabad could also see hailstorms.
The PMD authorities advised tourists to avoid unnecessary trips during this period.
Stressing the good side, the PMD said that precipitation is beneficial for standing crops, especially in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the latest opinions from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and its provincial counterparts, residents are invited to stay on alert and take precautions to avoid damage related to weather and losses.