Islamabad, September 28, 2023 – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather forecast predicting the onset of thunderstorms in most parts of the country starting Thursday, September 28, 2023.
According to the Met office, a westerly wave is expected to enter the upper parts of the country, triggering thunderstorms from Thursday to Saturday.
Anticipated Weather Conditions:
• Regions Under the Influence: Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), Gilgit Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar).
• Timeframe: From the evening/night of September 28 to September 30.
Specific Impact Areas:
1. Rainfall and Snowfall: Moderate to isolated heavy rainfall is expected in the mentioned regions, accompanied by snowfall over the high mountains in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
2. Thunderstorm with Hailstorm: Kohat, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Haripur, Kurram, Waziristan, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, and Sheikhupura on September 28 (night) & 29.
3. Rain-Dust-Thunderstorm: Zhob, Barkhan, Layyah, Bhakkar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar during the mentioned period.
Potential Impacts and Advisories:
1. Structural Damage: Loose structures like electric poles, solar panels, and billboards are at risk of damage during the thunderstorm.
2. Temperature Drop: Significantly lower temperatures are expected.
3. Agricultural Precautions: Farmers are advised to manage their crop activities accordingly.
4. Travel Safety: Tourists and travelers are urged to remain cautious to avoid untoward situations.
5. Public Safety: The general public is advised to stay in safe places during windstorms, lightning, and varying intensities of rain.
Recommendations to Authorities:
• All concerned authorities are urged to remain vigilant during the forecasted period.
The PMD’s comprehensive advisory emphasizes the need for public awareness and preparedness to mitigate potential risks associated with the forecasted weather conditions. Authorities at various levels are encouraged to take proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens and to minimize the impact of the upcoming thunderstorms.