Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds across different parts of the country next week, from March 9 to March 16.

According to a press release issued by the department on Saturday, a western wind system is expected to enter the northern areas of the country from the evening of March 9. The intensity of this weather system will increase from March 12 and may persist until March 16.

From 9 to 16 March, rain and snowfall are expected in northern regions, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Murree, Galyat, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.

On March 10, moderate is expected to heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, for Islamabad, Rawalpindi Division, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Sialkot and Faisalabad. Rain is also expected to continue in these cities from 12 to 16 March.

On March 14 and 15, precipitation is expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Okara, Bhakkar and Multan Divisions.

The meteorological department has also warned that rain and snowfall in the northern areas, including Murree and Galyat, could interfere with traffic flow. In addition, there is a risk of landslides and avalanches in areas such as Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Travelers to these regions have been asked to take the necessary precautions.

Hail storms are also expected in Upper Punjab, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad.