Pakistan is bracing for a significant shift in weather patterns, with torrential rains forecasted for several cities in Sindh, including Karachi, starting this Thursday. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has also predicted heavy snowfall and windstorms in various parts of the country from February 29 to March 2.
The Met Office, in its latest weather advisory, has warned that the intense rain and snowfall could trigger flash floods and disrupt daily routines in susceptible areas.
A potent westerly wave anticipated to affect western regions on February 29, gradually spreading to most parts of the country by March 1. This weather system expected to persist for two days.
In Sindh, cities like Karachi, Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad, and Thatta are bracing for heavy rain, wind, and thunderstorms on February 29 and March 1. The PMD also forecasts isolated hailstorms during this period.
Balochistan is also on high alert, with widespread heavy rain, wind, and thunderstorms expected in areas like Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, and Qila Saifullah on February 29 and March 1.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) set to experience heavy to extremely heavy rain and thunderstorms in areas like Peshawar, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, and Mardan from February 29 to March 3.
Gilgit Baltistan (GB) and Kashmir are also likely to witness heavy to extremely heavy rain, windstorms, and snowfall during this period.
In Punjab, cities like Lahore, Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, and Gujrat are preparing for widespread heavy rain and windstorms.
The Met Office has issued a flash flood warning due to heavy rainfall in local nullahs of Balochistan and Dera Ghazi Khan on February 29 and March 1. Similarly, flash flooding also expected in hill torrents of KP, Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, and local nullahs of Islamabad on March 1 and 2.
The heavy rain and snowfall may lead to road closures in areas like Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, and Neelum valley. Tourists advised to avoid unnecessary travel during this period.
The PMD urges all relevant authorities to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to mitigate any adverse effects during the forecast period.
 has also predicted heavy snowfall and windstorms in various parts of the country from February 29 to March 2.){kind=link}