Torrential rain, snowfall forecast in most parts of country from Feb 29 to March 2

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - The Met Office informed that a strong westerly wave is likely to approach western parts on Feb 29 and may grip most parts of the country on March 1 and persist till March 2.

Under the influence of this weather system:

Punjab/Islamabad:

Widespread heavy rain with windstorm/thunderstorm is expected in Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali and Bhakkar on March 1 and 2. Heavy snowfall is also expected in Murree, Galliyat and surrounding during the period.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Multan, Kot Addu, Layyah, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahimyar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khanpur, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar from Feb 29 to March 2. Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.

Sindh:

Rain-wind/thunderstorm is expected in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Khairpur and Mirpurkhas on Feb 29 and March 1. Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.

Balochistan:

Widespread heavy rain with windstorm/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is expected in Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Chagi, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Turbat, Kech, Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni, Ormara, Panjgur, Kharan, Noushki, Washuk, Mastung, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah and Qila Saifullah from Feb 29th and March 1. Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:

Heavy to extremely heavy widespread rain with windstorm/thunderstorm (heavy snowfall over the hills) is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Bajaur, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Kurram, Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan from Feb 29 to March 3. Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.

Gilgit Baltistan/Kashmir:

Heavy to extremely heavy widespread rain with windstorm/thunderstorm & snowfall is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from Feb 29 to March 3. Isolated hailstorm is also likely during the period.

Possible Impacts and advises:

Heavy rainfall may cause flash flooding in local nullah’s of Gwadar, Ketch, Turbat, Panjgur, Awaran, Barkhan, Kohlu, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Dalbandin, Khuzdar, Dera Ghazi Khan on Feb 29 and March 1, while heavy rainfall may cause flash flooding in hill torrents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat and local nullah’s of Islamabad/Rawalpindi on March 1 and 2.

Heavy rain/snowfall may cause closure of roads in Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli on March 1 and 2.

Landslides in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan may affect the vulnerable points in the area. Wind-thunderstorm/hailstorm may damage loose structures like electric poles, vehicles and solar panels etc.

Tourists are advised not to travel unnecessarily, while farmers are advised to remain cautious about their crops. The authorities concerned are advised to remain 'Alert' and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.