KARACHI, March 9, 2026: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday issued a warning of heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms across the upper regions of Pakistan from March 9 to March 12, driven by the approach of a westerly weather system.
The meteorological department stated that districts including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, along with Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, are likely to experience partly cloudy to fully overcast skies, moderate to heavy rain, gusty winds, and thunderstorm activity, with occasional heavy downpours during this period.
Meanwhile, lighter rainfall and thunderstorms are forecast across a broader belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on March 10–11. Districts including Khyber, Mohmand, Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Bajaur, Bannu, Waziristan, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu, and Mianwali may witness light rain and gusty winds.
The federal capital and surrounding areas, including Islamabad, the Pothohar region, Murree, Galliyat, and nearby locales, are also expected to see rain and thunderstorms from the night of March 9 through March 11, with isolated hailstorms possible.
The PMD warned that daytime temperatures could drop by 3–4°C across the northern regions. There is a heightened risk of landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. Residents are advised to exercise caution, while tourists should avoid non-essential travel during this period.
Farmers in the affected regions are urged to protect crops from heavy rainfall, and authorities have highlighted a potential decline in air quality in western Pakistan due to winds carrying pollutants from neighboring regions.
The PMD strongly recommends that the public stay updated with forecasts and take necessary precautionary measures for safety during this unsettled weather spell.