Islamabad: A fresh westerly weather system is expected to enter Pakistan on Saturday evening (May 2), bringing rain, dust storms and isolated hailstorms to large parts of the country, with the spell likely to continue until May 4 and persist in upper regions till May 5 morning, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Friday.
According to the Met Office, the system will first affect northwestern parts of the country on Saturday evening before spreading to upper and central regions.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is likely to be among the most affected provinces, where dust-thunderstorms and rain with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms are expected from May 2 evening to May 4 with occasional gaps. Areas likely to receive rainfall include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and parts of Waziristan.
In Punjab and Islamabad, dust-thunderstorms and rain with chances of isolated hailstorms are forecast in Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal from May 2 evening to May 4. The PMD said rain-windstorms with isolated hailstorms may also occur in southern districts including Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Khushab, Multan and Khanewal on May 3 and 4.
Gilgit-Baltistan is expected to receive rain-wind and thunderstorms from May 2 night to May 5 morning in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit and adjoining areas.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, rain-wind and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms are likely in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from May 2 night to May 5 with occasional gaps.
Balochistan is likely to experience windstorms and thunderstorms in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Zhob, Barkhan and Loralai from May 2 to May 4.
Upper Sindh may receive dust-thunderstorms on May 2 and 3, the Met Office added.
The PMD warned that windstorms, hailstorms and lightning may damage vulnerable structures including electric poles, billboards and solar panels during the forecast period. Landslides are also possible in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on May 3 and 4.
Farmers, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Punjab, have been advised to take precautionary measures as hailstorms and strong winds may damage standing crops.
The Met Office said the prevailing very hot weather conditions in the plains are likely to subside during the forecast period, offering some relief.
Tourists and travellers have been urged to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel, while authorities have been advised to stay vigilant and take preventive measures to avoid any untoward situation.