Clear skies in Islamabad, hailstorm unlikely

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast normal sunny weather in Islamabad and surrounding areas today with an unlikely chance of a repeat of Wednesday’s hailstorm, which caused havoc in the federal capital.

The recent weather phenomenon was a direct result of an extremely low-pressure pocket that developed near the Margalla Hills, so, all this happened just because of the extremely low pressure pocket, according to weather pundit Sarfaraz Khan.

As clouds crossed the Margalla Hills, they became trapped in the low-pressure pocket, where the low air temperature played a crucial role. The areas beneath the Margalla Hills, specifically sectors E, F, and parts of G, received severe hailstorms, he said.

The weather on Thursday will be clear and normal and there are chances of evening thunderstorms on Friday but good chances are on 19th April.

Light rain is expected at isolated places in northern Balochistan, including Zhob, Musakhel, and Barkhan.

Meanwhile, rain with thunder and lightning is likely in Murree, Galliyat, and nearby hilly areas. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts such as Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Buner, Kurram, Bajaur, and Mohmand may also receive rainfall.

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According to the Met Office, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir could witness rain accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms. There is a chance of flash flooding in local streams and rivers in these regions.

On the other hand, most upper and central districts of Sindh are expected to remain under a heatwave. The weather there will stay hot and dry.

It is worth noting that the weather has been changing across various parts of the country in recent days. The Met Department has advised citizens to take precautionary measures.