Met dept issues rain alert for northern areas in the coming weeks

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather alert forecasting rain and thundershowers in several northern regions of the country from March 6 to March 11.

According to the department, intermittent rain accompanied by thunderstorms is expected in parts of Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, Malakand, Mansehra, and Abbottabad during the forecast period.

Weather conditions are also expected to remain partly cloudy with chances of rain and thunderstorms in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir between March 6 and March 11.

The department added that rain with thundershowers is also likely in Islamabad, the Potohar Plateau, as well as hill stations including Murree and the Galiyat and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, the Met Office warned that temperatures in the plain areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expected to rise 6 to 8 degrees Celsius above normal during the coming days. A similar increase is forecast for Sindh and Balochistan, where temperatures may climb 5 to 7 degrees Celsius above seasonal averages.

Officials advised residents, particularly those in northern and hilly regions, to remain cautious during periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms, which may lead to localized disruptions.