Heavy rains lash parts of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan provinces NDMA warns of more rains, snowfall, thunderstorms in next 12-24 hours Met office predicts rains, hailstorms in Punjab.
KARACHI/ISLAMABAD/LAHORE – At least six people died and several others were wounded in different rain related accidents in Karachi on Thursday, rescue workers said. Heavy rains lashed several parts of the country on Thursday as Met office issued fresh warning of more heavy rains across the country.
Heavy rainfall led to widespread water accumulation across various parts of the port city and commuters were seen struggling to navigate flooded streets, with traffic moving slowly in different areas. Five of the deaths were caused by electrocution during the downpour, highlighting persistent safety hazards linked to exposed wiring and water accumulation in various neighbourhoods.
The National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) of NDMA has warned of more rain and snowfall across the country as westerly winds are set to affect most regions within the next 12 to 24 hours.
The system may bring strong winds, dust storms, and heavy rainfall. Authorities have directed relevant departments to remain vigilant. A new series of westerly winds has entered the country, due to which a new spell of rains is likely to start in different areas of Punjab from Thursday. The Meteorological Department predicted rains until April 5, the temperature is likely to drop further in the upper valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, while intermittent rain is expected in Murree, Galiyat and Islamabad.
Hailstorms with strong winds have been predicted in the plains of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while there is also a risk of damage to weak structures due to lightning and strong winds.
The NEOC has cautioned that during the next 12 to 24 hours, upper and mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are likely to receive snowfall.
Rain accompanied by thunderstorms, strong winds, dust storms, and isolated hailstorms is expected in parts of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds is expected over the next 12 to 24 hours in Islamabad and several Punjab cities, including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Gujar Khan, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, and Mandi Bahauddin.
Rain is also expected in several cities of Punjab, including Narowal, Sargodha, Jhang, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Kasur, Okara, Burewala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan and Bahawalpur.
Rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds is expected in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the next 12 to 24 hours.
The National Emergencies Operation Center has warned that over the next 12 to 24 hours, rain accompanied by strong winds and dust storms is expected in several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The forecast covers Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Battagram, Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan.
Rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms is expected over the next 12 to 24 hours in several districts of Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Jamshoro, Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Tando Allahyar, and Tando Muhammad Khan.
Rain is also likely in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, covering Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Astore, Diamer, Kharmang, Shigar, Ghizer, Nagar, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli, Poonch, Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber and Neelum Valley.
The National Emergencies Operation Center has cautioned that rain accompanied by strong winds and dust storms is expected in several areas of Balochistan over the next 12 to 24 hours.
The forecast covers Quetta, Zhob, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Ziarat, Kalat, Qilla Saifullah, Qilla Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Barkhan, Sibi, Nushki, Khuzdar, Awaran, Washuk, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar, and Lasbela.
The alert warned that strong winds, lightning and hailstorms across the country may damage weak structures, trees and electricity lines. It further cautioned that rainfall could make roads slippery and disrupt traffic flow.
The National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) has urged travellers to exercise caution as snowfall in mountainous areas may disrupt traffic flow. It further warned that continuous rainfall in hilly regions could heighten the risk of landslides.
Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, drive with caution and follow official weather advisories. The alert further cautioned that during strong winds and storms, people should stay away from trees, weak structures and installations.
Tourists and travellers have been advised to check weather conditions and road status before heading to northern areas. The public has been encouraged to stay updated through the NDMA’s official mobile application “Pak NDMA Disaster Alert.” The authority has also directed all provincial and district administrations to remain vigilant and prepared to deal with the expected weather situation.
Meanwhile, The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has stated that the current weather conditions are consistent with the seasonal outlook issued by the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) in January. The NEOC is also preparing to release a forecast outlining expected weather patterns for the months of April to June.
