Meteorological Department Issues Nationwide Weather Warning
Islamabad Staff Reporter
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued an alert warning of widespread heavy rains thunderstorms and hailstorms across the country in the coming days. Due to the severity of the expected weather urban flooding landslides and disruptions to daily life are anticipated especially in lowlying areas.
New Spell of Rain Likely to Begin
According to the Meteorological Department a strong westerly weather system is entering Pakistan and is expected to affect northern central and southern regions from Thursday night onwards. As a result most parts of the country are likely to experience heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms.
A spokesperson for the Meteorological Department stated
“This weather system is expected to persist for a few days. Along with rain hailstorms and strong winds are likely which could damage crops weak infrastructure and disrupt power supply.”
Affected Areas and Potential Risks
The alert identifies several regions at higher risk of intense weather including
- Punjab Lahore Faisalabad Rawalpindi Multan Sargodha Gujranwala Bahawalpur
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Peshawar Abbottabad Mansehra Dir Swat Kohat Bannu
- Sindh Karachi Hyderabad Sukkur Larkana Mirpur Khas
- Balochistan Quetta Zhob Kalat Turbat
- GilgitBaltistan & Kashmir Muzaffarabad Skardu Astore Gilgit
The department has warned that in some areas rainfall may be so intense that urban flooding and landslides particularly in mountainous regions could pose serious threats.
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Important Instructions for Farmers
In light of the expected rain and hailstorms the Department of Agriculture has issued advisories for farmers to take preventive measures. Crops such as wheat maize vegetables and fruits are at risk of damage. Farmers relying on openfield crops have been advised to either cover their crops or expedite the harvesting process.
Safety Guidelines for the Public
The Meteorological Department and the National Disaster Management Authority NDMA have urged the public to stay informed about the latest weather updates and avoid unnecessary travel especially to hilly areas.
Safety precautions include
Avoid standing near weak trees or electric poles
Take shelter during hailstorms and avoid open spaces
Repair rooftops and weak walls in advance
Residents in lowlying areas should clear drainage systems to prevent flooding
Emergency Services Preparedness
The Ministry of Interior and rescue services have implemented special emergency plans to deal with the potential crisis. All Rescue 1122 stations have been put on high alert and additional staff is being deployed to ensure swift response in case of any emergency.
According to rescue officials citizens should immediately contact helplines 1122 or 119 if
- A tree or pole falls
- Someone gets trapped in rain or storm
- Streets are flooded or accidents occur
Educational Institutions and Offices Likely to Be Affected
Due to heavy rainfall schools in some cities may be closed especially those in floodprone areas or housed in old and weak buildings. The administration has said that decisions will be made locally based on the evolving situation.
Office attendance may also be affected as urban flooding water accumulation on roads and traffic jams could hinder commute and access.
Further Alerts and Updates from the Meteorological Department
The Meteorological Department has advised citizens farmers transporters and local authorities to stay alert. More weather updates and alerts will be issued in the coming days. The public has been urged to rely on official sources for information and to avoid spreading or acting on rumors.
Conclusion Caution is Crucial
With severe weather expected across the country this is a time for collective vigilance. Natural events like storms and heavy rainfall can only be managed if both citizens and authorities take timely precautions. Everyone is advised to stay in contact with local authorities and not to ignore weather warnings.