The National Weather Forecast Center (NWFC) has issued a warning of heavy rain and snowfall in Pakistan’s northern regions calling on citizens to show caution during the journey.
The counseling, which was issued on Sunday, predicts the western wave that affects western parts of the country and continues to affect the top regions in the next 36 to 48 hours.
In its daily weather forecasts, NWFC noted that cold and dry conditions are expected across most parts of Pakistan.
However, cloudy weather with rain, wind and thunderstorms (along with snowfall in the hills) will probably affect northwestern and northwestern Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and Upper and Central Punjab in the evening and night.
The center specifically warned of moderate to heavy snowfall, which could lead to road closures and smooth conditions in areas including Murree, Galliyat, Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Dir, SWAT, Kohistan, Mansshera, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haelti, from Sunday Thrught Throughht.
The forecast also highlighted the risk of landslide and avalanche in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, who advise travelers and tourists in these mountainous regions to remain cautious.
This weather update follows last month’s rain, which brought some relief after a long -lasting drought affecting key crops, including wheat and potatoes.
According to the Pakistan Climate Change Ministry, rainfall was between September 1 and January 15, 40 percent below normal, with provinces such as Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab, who experienced deficits from 42 to 52 percent.
The country is still recovering from the devastating flash flooding triggered by stormy rain during the 2022 -Monsun season. The floods attributed to the effects of climate change resulted in over 1,700 deaths and caused damage to a value of $ 33 billion.
