The Met Department has forecast widespread rain, hailstorms, and strong winds across the country from today through May 5, prompting the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to issue a detailed advisory for residents and relevant departments.
According to the NDMA’s National Emergency Operation Center, several regions, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, northeastern Punjab, northeastern Balochistan, and parts of Sindh, are expected to receive rain and hail accompanied by thunderstorms.
The NDMA has instructed provincial and local authorities to implement preemptive measures to tackle any potential emergencies such as flash floods, landslides, or urban flooding. Citizens, especially those residing in or traveling to landslide-prone areas, are strongly advised to avoid unnecessary travel during stormy weather.
Detailed regional forecast
Islamabad and Punjab:
Islamabad and surrounding areas are likely to remain partly cloudy, with spells of rain and hail expected. Upper Punjab districts, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum, are likely to experience heavy showers.
Rain is also expected in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, and Khushab. Southern Punjab, including Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mianwali, Bhakkar, and Bahawalpur, may face strong winds and lightning.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:
Heavy rain and hail are predicted for Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Kohat, Hangu, Waziristan, Mardan, Peshawar, and Bannu. Isolated intense weather spells are also expected in Lakki Marwat, Bajaur, Mohmand, Karak, Khyber, and Swabi. The Met Department warns that some areas may receive heavy rainfall in the next three to six hours.
Sindh:
Thunderstorms are likely in Sukkur, Mirpur Khas, Tharparkar, and parts of Downstream Sindh. Evening or nighttime rain with thunder is expected in Sukkur, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Larkana, Khairpur, and Shaheed Benazirabad.
Balochistan:
Strong winds and rain are forecast for Kalat, Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob, Musakhel, Chaman, Mastung, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Loralai, Barkhan, Sibi, Khuzdar, Chagai, Noshki, Lasbela, and Awaran. Thunderstorms are expected in some districts during the evening or night.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir:
Scattered rain and thunderstorms are also predicted in the upper mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, increasing the risk of landslides in hilly terrain.
Precautionary measures
The NDMA has advised citizens to:
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Avoid travel to mountainous and landslide-prone areas during the rain.
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Keep emergency kits and essentials ready.
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Follow weather updates through the official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert App.
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Ensure drainage systems are not blocked in urban areas to prevent waterlogging.
Authorities are on high alert and are working to minimize risks associated with the forecasted severe weather.
