ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted changes in the country’s weather, which is likely to end the long drought.
Accordingly, the new weather system will affect the western and upper regions of the country, bringing heavy rain, wind and thundershowers with heavy snowfall in the hilly areas. This weather pattern will continue till January 6.
The PMD has forecast rain, wind and thundershowers in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, heavy snowfall in areas like Diamer, Astoor, Ghazar, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shagar and Neelum Valley. There is a possibility of In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts like Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan and Abbottabad as well as Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera and Kohat will experience rain and heavy snowfall on high mountains.
As far as Punjab and Islamabad are concerned, rain and thundershowers are likely over the federal capital, Murree, Guliyat and some areas of Potohar region. Light rain is likely in Multan, Sahiwal and Dera Ghazi Khan. The PMD said that the cold weather is expected to persist in the entire region, especially in the northern and central parts of Punjab.
Balochistan, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman and other areas of Balochistan will experience rain and snow on mountains till January 4. Fort Abdullah and Fort Saifullah will also face adverse weather conditions. However, most of Sindh will remain cold and dry, with light rain and thundershowers expected over Dadu, Sukkur and Jacobabad on January 3 and 4. He warned that road traffic is likely to be affected due to heavy snowfall in hilly areas like Murree, Guliyat, Swat, Kohistan and Gilgit-Baltistan. Apart from this, there is a risk of landslides and avalanches in some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
The department urged authorities to remain on high alert and take precautions to prevent accidents, while advising tourists against unnecessary travel to mountainous areas due to the risk of snow-related road closures and hazardous conditions. went