RAWALPINDI: Another wet spell is expected in Rawalpindi and Islamabad in the upcoming week, said the Pakistan Meteorological Department on Saturday.

It said a shallow westerly wave was likely to enter northern parts of the country on March 9 (evening/night) and expected to strengthen from March 12 and persist till March 16. It advised the provincial and district administrations to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation, particularly in hilly areas.

Under the influence of this weather system, rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfalls over the hills) with few heavy falls is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Bunner, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Murree, Galliyat, Gilgit-Baltistan, (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Kashmir (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur) from March 9 (evening/night) to March 16 with occasional gaps.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm is also expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Haripur, Kurram, Bannu, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Karak, Hangu, Kohat and Khyber on March 10.

The Met Office warned that moderate to few heavy rainfall/snowfalls may cause road closure/slippery conditions in Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Manshera, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch, Haveli on March 10 and from March 12 to 15.