Pakistan braces for weekend rain, windstorms in upper regions

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a forecast predicting widespread rain, windstorms, and thundershowers across the upper regions of the country throughout the weekend. These weather conditions are expected to begin Friday night and continue through Monday, driven by moist currents from the Arabian Sea and an approaching westerly wave.

Several areas, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, and various districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa like Dir and Swat, are anticipated to experience heavy rainfall. Similar conditions are expected in Islamabad and Punjab's major cities such as Lahore and Faisalabad. In contrast, Sindh province is predicted to have predominantly hot and humid weather, with only isolated rain expected in a few southern districts on Sunday and Monday.

The PMD has alerted relevant authorities to stay vigilant, warning that the anticipated windstorms and lightning pose risks to weak structures like solar panels and electric poles. There is also a potential for landslides in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. Local streams and hill torrents in these regions may see increased water flow.

Furthermore, localized urban flooding is a possibility in major cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala, and Lahore. Tourists and travelers are strongly advised to exercise caution and limit non-essential travel during the forecast period. Farmers are also being advised to manage their crops accordingly in anticipation of the changing weather.