KARACHI: The Met Office has issued a weather advisory predicting a significant spell of rain, windstorms and thunderstorms across the upper and northwestern regions of the country. The wet spell is expected to begin on the evening of April 16 and continue through April 19.
The fresh forecast said on Monday that a westerly wave is expected to approach the northwestern border on April 16. The system will likely persist over the upper parts of the country for the following three days. It is expected to bring isolated heavy falls and hailstorms in addition to snowfall over mountainous areas.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain, windstorms, and isolated heavy falls or hailstorms are forecast for several districts. These include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, and Peshawar. Other affected areas included Bajaur, Mohmand, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Kurram, Khyber, and Hangu.
The activity is expected from the April 16 to 19, with occasional intervals. Lighter rain is also expected in Orakzai, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan on April 17 and 18.
Across Gilgit-Baltistan, rain and thunderstorms are expected along with moderate to isolated heavy snowfall over the mountains. The affected areas include Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar. This weather is forecast from April 16 to April 19, with occasional gaps.
In Kashmir, rain, windstorms, and isolated hailstorms are predicted for several valleys and districts. These include Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur. The activity is expected from April 17 to April 19 with occasional gaps. Moderate to isolated heavy falls are specifically noted for April 18 and 19 in this region.
Balochistan is likely to see rain and windstorms on April 17 and 18. The areas likely to be affected included Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noshki, Sherani, Musakhel, Loralai, Harnai, Zhob, and Barkhan.
Rawalpindi and Islamabad are likely to experience rain, windstorms, and isolated hailstorms from April 16 to 18. The weather will also affect other parts of Punjab such as Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Narowal. Windstorms may also occur in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Bhakkar, Multan, and Khanewal during this period.
In Sindh, windstorms and dust-raising winds are expected in the upper parts of the province from April 16 to 18.
The Met Office has warned of several potential hazards associated with this weather system. Vulnerable areas in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir may experience landslides from April 17 to 19.
Windstorms, hailstorms, and lightning may cause damage to weak structures during the forecast period. This includes potential damage to electric poles, billboards, and solar panels.
Hailstorms and strong winds may also damage standing crops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Punjab. Farmers have been advised to manage their crops according to the prevailing weather conditions. Tourists and travelers are strongly advised to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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