Dust-thunderstorms, rain in upper, central parts likely from today

KARACHI: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast dust-thunderstorms and rain in upper and central parts of the country from the night of May 2 to May 4, as a fresh westerly wave approaches northwestern regions.

According to the PMD, the weather system is likely to enter the country on May 2 (evening) and persist over upper parts until the morning of May 5, affecting several regions with intermittent gaps.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Dust-thunderstorm and rain, with isolated heavy falls and hailstorm, are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan from May 2 (evening) to May 4.

Punjab and Islamabad: Dust-thunderstorm and rain, with isolated hailstorm, are expected in Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal from May 2 (evening) to May 4 (night).

Rain-windstorm or thunderstorm with isolated hailstorm may also occur in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Khushab, Noorpur Thal, Multan and Khanewal on May 3 and 4.

Gilgit-Baltistan: Rain-wind and thunderstorm are expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar from the night of May 2 to May 5, with occasional gaps.

Kashmir: Rain-wind and thunderstorm, with isolated heavy falls and hailstorm, are expected in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from the night of May 2 to May 5.

Balochistan: Windstorm and thunderstorm are expected in Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Kohlu, Zhob, Barkhan and Loralai from May 2 to May 4. Dust-thunderstorm is expected in upper Sindh on May 2 and 3.

Possible Impacts and Advisories: The PMD warned that windstorm, hailstorm and lightning may damage weak structures, including electric poles, billboards and solar panels. Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on May 3 and 4.

Hailstorm and strong winds may damage standing crops in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Punjab. Farmers have been advised to manage crops in line with prevailing weather conditions.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026