Warns that people living in hilly areas of KP, GB and Azad Kashmir should remain cautious due to the risk of landslides
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecast rains accompanied by thundershowers and strong winds in different parts of the country ahead of Eid holiday as another westerly wave is expected to enter the country from the evening of March 17.
According to the Met Office, the weather system will move into western parts of the country on the evening or night of March 17 and gradually spread over most regions by March 18 before weakening by March 20.
The change in weather is associated with a westerly wave, a naturally occurring seasonal weather system that often brings rain, wind and cooler temperatures.
Balochistan is likely to be among the first affected regions. Rain and strong winds, along with occasional thundershowers and isolated hail, are expected in areas including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur and Awaran from March 17 evening to March 20 morning with a break.
PMD weather alert:
Rain-wind-thunderstorm and snowfall is expected in many parts of Pakistan from 17-20. March due to a new westerly wave.
Possible hailstorms and temperature drops are expected.
Tourists and farmers are advised to be careful.#Pakistan Weather #PMD #WeatherAlert pic.twitter.com/VjsD7UHS9T— Pak Met Department weather forecast (@pmdgov) March 16, 2026
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is expected to experience rainy and windy weather with thundershowers and snowfall over higher mountains in districts including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan. Isolated hail showers may also occur in some areas.
Rain and strong winds are also expected in Punjab and Islamabad. Cities including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha and Sahiwal are likely to receive rain with occasional thundershowers and isolated hail from the night of March 17 to the morning of March 20. South Punjab districts like Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan March 1 and Dera Ghazi Khan may experience similar conditions on March 1 and March 8. 19.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir are also expected to experience cloudy weather with rain, thundershowers and snowfall over higher elevations. Areas including Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu, Diamir, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Poonch, Mirpur and Kotli may experience heavier periods, especially in parts of Kashmir.
Read more: Rain brings relief as weather system moves into Punjab
Sindh is expected to experience cloudy conditions with rain and occasional thundershowers on March 18 and 19 in districts including Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Mirpurkhas, Badin and Thatta.
The Met Office warned that people living in hilly areas of KP, GB and Azad Kashmir should remain cautious due to the risk of landslides on slopes and mountain roads.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a detailed weather advisory indicating that widespread rain, windy conditions and occasional thundershowers are expected to move over most of the country from the evening of March 17 to March 20, overlapping with… pic.twitter.com/ddyQEx2c6O
— APP (@appcsocialmedia) March 16, 2026
Lightning can also occur in isolated locations during thunderstorms, and residents are advised to stay indoors during periods of heavy rain.
Farmers have been advised to take the necessary precautions to protect crops as isolated hailstorms may damage standing crops in some areas. Daytime temperatures across the country are also expected to drop slightly during the period.
Read also: NDMA issues rain, thunderstorm advisory over Pakistan from 14-16. March
Travelers and tourists were advised to plan Eid travel according to weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rains.
Authorities said relevant government departments were alerted to ensure public safety.
