Dust-Thunderstorm, Rain Expected Upper Parts Till May 23: PMD

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts dust-thunderstorm and rain from May 19 till May 23. The westerly wave that entered northwestern parts on Monday night is expected to persist in upper regions until May 23.

This weather system will bring temporary relief from very hot conditions in northern areas, but southern and central regions are still likely to experience intense heat. Dust-thunderstorm and rain accompanied by isolated hailstorms are expected in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu, Waziristan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Karak.

In Punjab and Islamabad areas, dust-thunderstorm and rain is expected in Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Joharabad, Bhakkar, Layyah, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot and Narowal.

Rain-wind and thunderstorm activity is also expected in Gilgit-Baltistan districts including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, as well as various areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur.

The PMD warns that windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures like electric poles, billboards, and solar panels during the forecast period. Moderate to isolated heavy rainfall may also trigger landslides in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.