ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday predicted dust and windstorms, rain and thunderstorms across most parts of the country this week from June 11 to 13, and warned the relevant authorities to remain ‘vigilant’.
A press release issued by the PMD said a western disturbance is likely to approach the upper parts of the country on June 11 and persist until June 13. It added that moist currents from the Arabian Sea are also likely to penetrate the upper and centralparts of the country from June 11.
Scattered dust and windstorms, and rain and thunderstorms along with isolated heavy falls and hailare expected in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Noor Pur Thal, Bhakkar, Layyah, Mianwali, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Kot Addu from June 11-13, with occasional gaps.In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, similar conditions are expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Bajaur, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Mohmand, Khyber, Waziristan, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu and Kurram.
Scattered rain, wind and thunderstorms, with some hail, are also expected in Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur; and in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar.
Dust and windstorms, and rain and thunderstorms, are expected in the northeastern parts of Balochistan, specifica11y Zhob, Sherani, Ziarat, Qilla Saifullah, Barkhan and Dera Bugti. Dust and windstorms are also expected in upper Sindh’s Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Dadu, Ghotki, Kashmore, Shikarpur and Shaheed Benazirabad.
The PMD warned that strong winds, hail and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including solar panels, power poles and billboards, and cautioned that heavy rainfall may trigger urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore and Faisalabad.
It also warned of possible landslides in vulnerable areas of upper KP, GilgitBaltistan and Kashmir from June 11-13, advising farmers to protect crops and urging tourists to avoid unnecessary travel.