ISLAMABAD: Following a three-day heatwave across northern parts of the country, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain in the upper regions from Sunday evening through May 12.
According to the Met Office, dust storms, thunderstorms and rain are expected intermittently in upper parts of the country between May 10 and May 12.
The department stated that a fresh westerly wave is likely to enter the northwestern regions of Pakistan on Sunday and is expected to persist in the upper areas until the night of May 12.
Under the influence of this weather system, dust storms, thunderstorms and rainfall are forecast in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu and Karak.
Similar weather conditions are also expected in parts of Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory, including Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Joharabad, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal.
Meanwhile, rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms is likely in Gilgit-Baltistan from May 11 to May 13 with occasional gaps. The affected areas include Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar.
The weather system is also expected to affect various parts of Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur.
The PMD said that dust storms, thunderstorms and rain are likely to provide relief from the ongoing hot weather in upper regions of the country.
However, the department warned that extremely hot weather conditions are expected to continue in southern parts of Pakistan, including southern Punjab, Sindh and several areas of Balochistan.
The Met Office also cautioned that windstorms and lightning could damage vulnerable structures such as electric poles, billboards and solar panels during the forecast period.
It further warned of possible landslides in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
Farmers have been advised to manage their agricultural activities according to changing weather conditions, while tourists and travellers were urged to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the period.
The PMD also advised all relevant authorities to stay alert and take precautionary measures in view of the expected weather conditions.