NDMA Issues Countrywide Weather Alert for Severe Conditions
The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), operating under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has issued a comprehensive weather alert for the entire nation. This advisory warns of impending severe weather conditions, including rain, snowfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds, expected to impact various regions over the next 12 to 24 hours. The alert attributes these conditions to a westerly weather system currently affecting the area, prompting authorities to urge heightened preparedness among citizens and local administrations.
Expected Weather Patterns Across Provinces
According to the NDMA advisory, Islamabad and numerous cities in Punjab are likely to experience rain accompanied by thunder and gusty winds. Specific areas anticipated to be affected include Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Gujar Khan, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, and Mandi Bahauddin. Further rainfall is forecast for additional locations such as Narowal, Sargodha, Jhang, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Kasur, Okara, Burewala, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Bahawalpur.
In the northern and mountainous regions, snowfall is expected in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the same period. Meanwhile, rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds is likely in various districts across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Detailed Regional Impact and Flood Warnings
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, areas including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Battagram, Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan are expected to face adverse weather conditions. Authorities have issued a specific warning regarding a potential flood risk in parts of KP, particularly Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, and Mardan, with this threat likely to persist until April 5.
In Sindh, rain accompanied by thunder and strong winds is anticipated in Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Jamshoro, Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, and Tando Muhammad Khan.
Similarly, rain is forecast in several areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Astore, Diamer, Kharmang, Shigar, Ghizer, Nagar, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli, Poonch, Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber, and Neelum Valley.
In Balochistan, rain along with strong winds and windstorms is expected in Quetta, Zhob, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Ziarat, Kalat, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Barkhan, Sibi, Nushki, Khuzdar, Awaran, Washuk, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar, and Lasbela.
Precautionary Measures and Safety Advisories
The NDMA has directed provincial and district administrations to remain on high alert in view of possible severe weather impacts. It warned that strong winds, lightning, and hailstorms could damage vulnerable structures, trees, crops, and power lines. Rainfall may also disrupt traffic, create slippery road conditions, and increase the likelihood of accidents, while snowfall in hilly areas could hinder travel and trigger landslides.
Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, exercise caution while driving, and follow instructions issued by local authorities. Tourists planning to visit northern areas have been urged to check weather and road conditions beforehand. The NDMA added that real-time updates can be accessed through its official mobile application, Pak NDMA Disaster Alert, to stay informed about evolving conditions.
