The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a weather advisory on Saturday forecasting a countrywide spell of heavy rains, windstorms, and hailstorms from April 5 to April 9.
This new weather system follows a period of intense storms that have caused 68 deaths across the country since late last month, including two recent fatalities in Punjab’s Sargodha and Chiniot districts.
The disturbance is expected to enter Balochistan on Sunday evening before spreading to upper regions, including Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Kashmir.
Regional Forecast and Timing
The weather system is expected to impact the country in phases:
- Balochistan: Rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, and surrounding districts from Sunday night through Tuesday morning. Coastal areas, including Gwadar and Pasni, are expected to see activity on Monday.
- Sindh: Karachi and other districts, including Sukkur and Larkana, are likely to experience scattered rain, windstorms, and isolated hailstorms on Monday, April 6.
- Punjab and Islamabad: Widespread rain and hailstorms are predicted for Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and northern Punjab from Monday evening through Thursday.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Northern Areas: Widespread rain and mountain snowfall are expected in KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) from April 6 to April 9.
Flooding and Infrastructure Risks
The PMD highlighted significant risks to infrastructure and public safety due to the intensity of the projected rainfall.
Flash floods are expected on April 6 in northeast Balochistan, the Koh-i-Sulaiman range, and Kashmir. From April 7 to 8, local streams and nullahs in KP districts—including Swat, Dir, and Abbottabad—are also at risk of flooding.
Urban flooding is forecast for Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Gujranwala, and Sialkot on April 7 and 8. Additionally, the Met Office warned that windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures such as power poles, solar panels, and billboards.
Impact on Agriculture and Travel
The PMD cautioned that windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures such as electricity poles, billboards, and solar panels.
The advisory noted that hailstorms and strong winds could cause damage to standing crops, particularly wheat, in Punjab, KP, and Sindh. Farmers have been advised to take precautionary measures to protect their harvests.
Tourists have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel in northern regions during the advisory period.
National Casualty and Damage Assessment
The nationwide death toll from rain-related incidents in Pakistan has risen to 68 since late last month, following the deaths of two individuals in Punjab within the last 24 hours.
Provincial authorities have reported significant casualties and infrastructure damage as thunderstorms continue to impact various regions:
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported 30 deaths and 85 injuries since March 25. Approximately 140 houses have been damaged, 115 of which were partially destroyed.
- Sindh: Authorities confirmed 27 deaths in Karachi since last month following torrential rains and “abnormal” weather patterns for April.
- Balochistan: Nine fatalities have been recorded in the province since March 20 due to flooding and structural collapses.