Pakistan is preparing for major weather shifts, with heavy rainfall predicted to hit multiple regions starting on Thursday, including Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Based on data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan predicts significant snowfall and strong winds across the nation from February 29 to March 2. According to the most recent advisory, the heavy snowfall and rain could cause flash floods and cause disruptions to daily life in areas that are susceptible.
A strong westerly wave is expected to hit western areas on February 29 and gradually spread to most of the nation by March 1, according to PMD. Two days are anticipated to pass during this weather system.
Due to excessive rainfall in local streams and rivers in Balochistan and Dera Ghazi Khan on February 29 and March 1, the authorities have issued a flash flood warning. On March 1 and 2, local streams in Islamabad and the mountain streams in KP, Kashmir, Murree, and Galliyat are also predicted to experience flash flooding.
The area’s weak spots could be impacted by the intense rain and snowfall, which could result in landslides in upper KPK, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Hailstorms and wind-thunderstorms have the potential to destroy loose structures like solar panels, cars, and electric poles. The authorities have urged farmers to exercise caution with their crops during this time and have cautioned tourists not to travel needlessly. While it has been recommended that all relevant authorities stay vigilant and take the required precautions to avoid any untoward situations during the forecast period.
Cities in Sindh, including Hyderabad, Thatta, Dadu, Karachi, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Hyderabad, are getting ready for thunderstorms, heavy rain, and wind on February 29 and March 1. During this time, isolated hailstorms are also predicted by PMD.
Balochistan has been placed on high alert as well. On February 29 and March 1, thunderstorms, intense winds, and heavy rain are predicted in places like Quetta, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, and Qila Saifullah. From February 29 to March 3, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is expected to see heavy to extremely heavy rain, along with thunderstorms in places like Peshawar, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, and Mardan.
During this time, strong winds, snowfall, and heavy to extremely heavy rain are also predicted for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Kashmir.
Lahore, Murree, Galliyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, and Gujrat are among the Punjabi cities preparing for widespread, intense rain and wind.
Road closures in places like Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, and Neelum Valley may result from the intense rain and snowfall. It is advised that travelers avoid making needless trips during this time. Throughout the forecast period, the PMD implores all pertinent authorities to exercise caution and maintain vigilance in order to reduce any negative impacts.
Since 2010, Pakistan has seen an increasing number of extreme weather events related to the worsening climate change crisis. This heavy rainfall is because rising temperatures and increased evaporation rates caused by global warming mean that the westerly winds carry more water in the westerly direction than they did in the past. Additionally, the weather pattern has been severely impacted because heavy rainfall are becoming more erratic and intense at the same time, which means longer stretches of dry weather.
Following significant snowfall in the area of Malam Jabba, Kalam, Chitral, and the Lowari Tunnel in Kalam, the Pakistan Army is conducting rescue operations
- There is still a lot of snow in Kalam, Malam Jabba, and Lowari Tunnel. The Pakistan Army’s rescue crews didn’t stop working through the night to free the roads of snow and save the trapped passengers.
- The Pakistan Army is rescuing passengers who are stuck in snow-covered areas and supplying food and medicine from adjacent army camps.
- The Pakistan Army’s rescue teams have been working nonstop since yesterday to get traffic back on the roads affected by the significant snowfall.
- The district administration and the Pakistan Army are using heavy machinery to work in an emergency.
- The Pakistan Army will keep working on all the roads affected by the heavy snowfall until all traffic has returned.
