Pakistan Meteorological Department Warns of Severe Weather System
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an advisory warning about severe weather conditions expected across parts of Pakistan over the coming days. A new westerly wave is predicted to approach northwestern regions from May 2 evening, persisting until May 5 morning.
Dust-thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and strong winds are forecast for upper and central Pakistan during this period. The PMD states that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be the most severely affected province.
The severe weather is expected to impact areas such as Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Balakot, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan from May 2 through May 4. Punjab and Islamabad will also face significant impacts.
Dust-thunderstorms and isolated hailstorms are expected in areas including Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Narowal.
Rain-windstorms and thunderstorms with isolated hailstorms may hit Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Multan, and Khanewal on May 3 and 4. The system is also expected to affect northern regions.
Gilgit-Baltistan, including areas like Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ganche, and Shigar, will experience rain-wind and thunderstorm activity from the night of May 2 until May 5. Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur will also face heavy falls and hailstorms.
The Met Office highlights potential impacts such as landslides in vulnerable areas of upper KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir, particularly on May 3 and May 4. Additionally, the PMD predicts that El Nino conditions are likely to develop during the 2026 monsoon season (June-September).