NDMA issues nationwide rain alert including for Karachi, Lahore, northern areas

The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide alert following a fresh forecast of rain, windstorms, and snowfall across the country.

The NDMA stated that the current weather patterns strictly align with the seasonal outlook issued by the NEOC in January. Furthermore, the authority is set to release a detailed weather forecast spanning from April to June.

Thunderstorms, gusty winds, and rain are expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Battagram, Peshawar, Mansehra, and Abbottabad regions. Similar conditions, including windstorms and hailstorms, are predicted for Haripur, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, DI Khan, and Waziristan as well, it said.

The disaster management authority said rain and windstorms are forecast for Islamabad, and Punjab’s Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Gujar Khan, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot, and Mandi Bahauddin. Narowal, Sargodha, Jhang, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Kasur, Okara, Burewala, D.G. Khan, Multan, and Bahawalpur districts are also expected to receive rainfall.

In Sindh, Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Jamshoro, Dadu, Khairpur, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Naushahro Feroze, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sanghar, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Tando Allahyar, and Tando Muhammad Khan are braced for gusty winds and thunderstorms.

In Balochistan, rain and windstorms are expected in Quetta, Zhob, Loralai, Dera Bugti, Ziarat, Kalat, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Barkhan, Sibi, Nushki, Khuzdar, Awaran, Washuk, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar, and Lasbela.

Whereas, snowfall is predicted for upper hilly areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, with rain forecast for Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Astore, Diamer, Kharmang, Shigar, Ghizer, Nagar, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli, Poonch, Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber, and Neelum Valley.

The NDMA warned that strong winds, lightning, and hailstorms could damage weak structures, trees, standing crops, and power lines. Commuters are cautioned that rain may cause slippery roads and snowfall could disrupt traffic flow in mountainous regions. There is also an increased risk of landslides in hilly areas due to continuous rainfall.

The weather department said citizens should avoid unnecessary travel and exercise extreme caution while driving.

“Stay away from trees, poles, and weak structures during windstorms,” it further advised.

Tourists are also advised to check weather and road conditions before travelling to northern areas.

The NDMA has directed all provincial and district administrations to remain on high alert to manage any potential emergencies.