Rain, thunderstorms predicted in upper and central parts of country

Several parts of the country are likely to receive rain and thunderstorms over the coming days, while some areas may also experience hailstorms as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast a fresh spell of unsettled weather from October 10 to 15.

The weather system is expected to affect Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab and Islamabad. The PMD said that a westerly wave would enter the country's upper regions on Saturday and could bring a drop in daytime temperatures.

In Kashmir, showers and thunderstorms are likely in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur between October 10 and 15. Several parts of GB are also expected to receive rain during the same period. These include Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar.

In KP, the forecast covers Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Kohat, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Hangu, Lakki Marwat, Karak, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan.

Isolated hailstorms may accompany the rain in these regions. The PMD has identified two periods for possible rain in several parts of Punjab and the Islamabad region: October 10-11 and October 13-14.

The forecast includes Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Sargodha, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Faisalabad.

Further south, Multan, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan and Khanewal may receive rain on October 10-11 and October 13.

The weather department has forecast mainly hot and dry conditions for most of Balochistan. However, Zhob, Barkhan and Musakhel could experience rain, strong winds and thunderstorms on October 10-11 and 13.

Sindh is expected to remain mainly hot and dry in the coming days. The PMD has warned that strong winds, lightning and hail could damage buildings and other vulnerable structures. Electric poles, solar panels and the roofs and walls of mud houses are among the structures at risk.

Standing crops in the plains of Punjab and KP could also suffer damage from hailstorms.

The weather system may bring light snowfall to high mountains and glaciers. Daytime temperatures are expected to fall by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius during the forecast period.

Farmers have been advised to plan their agricultural activities according to the changing weather. The PMD has also asked the relevant authorities to stay alert and take precautionary measures to minimise possible damage.