ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an alert warning of dust-thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and strong winds expected to affect various parts of the country in the coming days.
In an advisory issued on Friday, the Met Office said a fresh westerly wave is likely to enter the northwestern regions of Pakistan on the evening of May 2 and persist in the upper parts of the country until the morning of May 5.
During this period, widespread dust storms, rain-thunderstorms, and isolated hailstorms are expected across upper and central regions, while the ongoing intense heat is likely to subside.
KP likely to be worst affected
According to the PMD, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be the most severely impacted province. Dust-thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and hailstorms are expected in multiple districts including Chitral, Swat, Dir, Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and parts of tribal districts from May 2 to May 4 with intermittent gaps.
Punjab and Islamabad also in path
Significant weather activity is also forecast for Punjab and Islamabad. Areas including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Jhelum, and Sargodha are expected to experience dust storms, rain-wind activity, and isolated hailstorms from the evening of May 2 through the night of May 4.
Southern Punjab districts such as Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, and Khanewal may also receive rain-windstorms and thunderstorms during May 3–4.
Northern areas under weather impact
Northern regions including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir are expected to experience rain-wind and thunderstorm activity from May 2 to May 5, with chances of heavy rainfall and hail in several valleys.
Balochistan and Sindh forecast
In Balochistan, windstorms and thunderstorms are likely in Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Chaman, and surrounding areas between May 2 and May 4. Upper parts of Sindh may also experience dust-thunderstorms on May 2 and 3.
Possible impacts and climate outlook
The PMD has warned that landslides may occur in vulnerable mountainous areas of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir, particularly during May 3 and 4.
Separately, the weather authority noted that there is a strong likelihood of El Niño conditions developing during the South Asian monsoon season of 2026 (June–September), based on global climate model forecasts.
Officials have advised citizens and local administrations to remain alert and take precautionary measures in view of the expected severe weather conditions.
