The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a comprehensive weather advisory as a strong westerly wave continues to move across the country, bringing rain, windstorms, and thunderstorms to nearly all provinces. For Thursday, the Met Office has predicted scattered rainfall in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, and the federal capital, Islamabad, with isolated spells also expected to reach parts of Punjab and Sindh.
According to the latest forecast, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southern Balochistan are at risk of heavy downpours. The department has also warned of isolated hailstorms and lightning strikes, which could pose a threat to standing crops, particularly in the fertile plains of Punjab, Sindh, and KP. In the northern mountainous regions, intermittent rain and snowfall are likely to continue, with authorities specifically warning of potential landslides on vulnerable slopes in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
In the southern half of the country, Karachi and other major districts in Sindh—including Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana—are expected to experience partly cloudy skies with chances of thunderstorms and moderate rain. Similar unsettled weather is forecast for Balochistan, where Quetta, Zhob, and coastal areas like Panjgur may see intermittent showers.
Travelers and tourists planning journeys for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays have been advised to exercise extreme caution. The PMD has urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel in hilly areas during heavy spells and to stay indoors to avoid the risks associated with lightning and strong winds. As temperatures dip slightly across the country due to the rainy spell, farmers are encouraged to take proactive measures to safeguard their harvests against the predicted wind and hail.
