Rain, strong winds expected in upper parts of country on Oct 6-7

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, strong winds and thunderstorms, with isolated hailstorms, across several upper parts of the country over the next two days.

The weather system is expected to affect different regions from October 6 to 7.

According to the Met Office, a westerly wave is likely to enter the upper parts of the country on Monday night and remain in the region until October 7.

The system is expected to bring unsettled weather to Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Islamabad.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and thunderstorms are likely in several districts, including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan. Rain and isolated hailstorms are also expected in parts of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during the forecast period.

Punjab is also likely to experience rain, windstorms and thunderstorms at scattered locations on October 6 and 7. The affected areas may include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Sargodha, Faisalabad and several surrounding districts.

Meanwhile, mostly hot and dry weather is expected to continue in Sindh and Balochistan.

However, isolated rain and thunderstorms may occur in Zhob, Barkhan and Musakhel on Tuesday evening and night. Daytime temperatures across the affected areas could also fall by around two to four degrees Celsius.

The PMD warned that strong winds, hail and lightning could damage weak structures, electric poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels.

Farmers have been advised to plan agricultural activities according to the weather, while relevant authorities have been asked to remain alert and take precautionary measures.