RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has advised district administrations to remain alert as a fresh spell of rain, with gusty winds, is expected across the country between April 10 and April 15.

An advisory issued by the Met Department said a westerly wave is likely to enter upper parts of the country from April 10, followed by another strong wave on April 12, which may grip most parts of the country on April 13 and persist till April 15.

Under the influence of the weather system, rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected in Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, and Chakwal on April 10 and between April 12 and 15, with occasional gaps.

Similar weather with occasional gaps from April 12 to 15 and isolated wind and hailstorm between April 13 and 15 is expected in Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Kot Addu, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khanpur, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar.

Advisory warns of flash flooding, possibility of damage to crops, infrastructure

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner and Malakand from April 10 to 15 with occasional gaps.

Waziristan, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Karak, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan and Kurram will experience the same weather with occasional gaps from April 12 to 15.

Isolated rainfall and hailstorms are also expected from April 13 to 15.

In Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, sporadic spells of rain, wind and thunderstorms, with snowfall on mountains, are expected in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawala­kot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from April 10 to 15.

Isolated heavy rainfall and hailstorms are also expected from April 13 to 15.

In Balochistan, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Sibbi, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Kalat, Lasbela, Khuzdar, Chagi, Panjgur, Gwadar and Kech will experience similar temperature from April 12 to 14.

In Sindh, rainfall and thunderstorms are predicted in Sukkur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Dadu, Qambar Shahdad Kot, Jamshoro and Sanghar on April 13 and 14.

Karachi and Hyderabad will witness rainfall during the period.

There was also a possibility of landslides in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir and GB between April 13 and 15.

Warning of flash floods

The Met Office advisory warned that heavy rainfall may trigger flash flooding in nullahs of Dir, Swat, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra and areas of GB and AJK.

Wind and hailstorms, as well as lightning, may damage standing crops, electric poles, vehicles, and solar panels.

The farmers, especially those harvesting wheat, have been advised to manage their crops according to weather conditions.Tourists are advised to avoid un­­necessary travel during the wet period. Temperatures are lik­ely to drop during the wet spell.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2024