Islamabad, January 17, 2025 — The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a rain and windstorm warning for Islamabad and its surrounding areas, forecasting intense weather conditions over the coming two days.
The advisory, released on Friday, indicates that light rain coupled with windstorms is expected to impact Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal during the evenings and nights of January 18 and 19.
The PMD’s detailed forecast underscores the arrival of a westerly weather system, which is anticipated to affect the western and northern regions of Pakistan starting January 18. This system is likely to bring widespread rain and windstorms, along with snowfall in hilly regions, including areas near Islamabad.
Detailed Regional Forecast
• Northwest Balochistan: Moderate rain and windstorms, accompanied by snowfall over hills, are forecasted in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chagai, Nushki, Kalat, Barkhan, Khuzdar, Harnai, Zhob, Musakhel, Kharan, Kech, Panjgur, and Gwadar from January 18 to 20, with occasional intervals.
• Northern Pakistan: Similar weather patterns are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Karak, and Kohat. Additionally, Murree, Galliyat, Gilgit-Baltistan (including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar), and Kashmir (Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur) are likely to experience intermittent rain and snow from January 18 to 21.
Potential Impacts and Recommendations
• Flash Flooding: Moderate rain may cause flash flooding in Chagai, Nushki, Kharan, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, and Quetta between the night of January 18 and the morning of January 19.
• Heavy Snowfall: Regions such as Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, and Bagh are at risk of road closures and slippery conditions due to heavy snowfall.
• Landslides and Avalanches: Mountainous areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir, including areas near Islamabad, may experience landslides and avalanches.
Precautionary Measures:
• Tourists and travelers planning to visit mountainous regions are strongly advised to remain cautious.
• Farmers should adjust their activities and safeguard their crops in accordance with the forecasted weather conditions.
The PMD stresses the need for residents, especially in Islamabad and nearby areas, to stay informed through official weather updates to ensure safety and preparedness during this period of turbulent weather.