Weather alert issued as Met Office warns of thunderstorms, heavy rain

ISLAMABAD: The Meteorological Department says windstorms, thundershowers, and heavy rainfall are expected in multiple parts of the country during the next 12 to 24 hours.

As per the Met Office, rain-generating systems are likely to influence several regions, including Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and Sindh, with some places seeing hailstorms.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, thunderstorms may hit districts such as Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, and Charsadda during evening hours. At the same time, strong winds along with thunderstorms are forecast for Shangla, Swat, Kalam, Dir, Chitral, and Buner.

Heavy rainfall is also expected in upper areas, including Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, and Haripur.

While elsewhere, areas like Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, and Khyber could see rain and thunderstorms as well, without much delay.

Wind and rain are also expected for Kohat, Kurram, Hangu, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Parachinar, and Waziristan. Officials added that in some elevated spots, hailstorms could occur.

The Met Office said Pattan logged 8 mm of rainfall, and Parachinar recorded 7 mm during the last 24 hours.

NDMA has warned that ongoing showers, together with increasing temperatures, can speed up glacier melt. This could raise the risk of glacial lake outburst floods, flash floods, and landslides in sensitive areas.