PMD forecast new rain, snowfall period from March 2

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted a new spell of heavy rain across Pakistan and snowfalls over the hills from March 2 (Sunday).

“A westerly wave is likely to approach western parts of the country on March 2,” the Met Dept said in a press release.

Under the influence of this weather system, heavy rainfall is expected in Islamabad and upper and central Punjab from March 02 and March 03. Snowfall is expected in Muree till March 4.

“Light rain-wind/thunderstorm is also expected in Bhakkar, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Okara, Larkana and Sukkur,” it read.

Rain with a few heavy snow is expected in the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), and Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from March 02 (night) to March 04 (afternoon).

Furthermore, Met Office forecast shows chances of rain along with snowfalls over the hills in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Mastung, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chagi, Noushki, Kharan, Kalat, Barkhan, Khuzdar, Harnai, Zhob and Sherani on March 02 and 03.

PMD has warned that moderate to few heavy snowfalls may cause road closure/slippery conditions in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Manshera, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli during the forecast period.

The hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir can see landslides or avalanches during the period.