Second spell of rain, snow to hit country next week

Met offices advises against travelling to hilly areas

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rain and snowfall across the country in the next week from Monday to Thursday and has also cautioned people travelling to hilly areas to strictly follow directions issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and National Highway Authority (NHA).

The Met office has also warned that intermittent rains might trigger landslides in areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and isolated heavy rainfalls might generate flash floods in parts of Balochistan.



All concerned authorities have been advised to remain alert round the clock from Monday in order to minimise human and property loss.

According to PMD officials, a strong westerly wave is expected to produce more rains and snowfalls over hilly areas in the country during the coming week.

“People who are planning to travel to hilly areas should plan keeping in mind the weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travelling to these areas if possible as a precautionary measure,” the officials said.

Rain with snowfall is expected in a few areas of Balochistan including Quetta, Zhob and Kalat divisions.

In Sindh, rain accompanied by thunderstorms is expected at scattered places of the province on Tuesday and Wednesday.



Rain and snowfall is expected in most parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkwa. Intermittent heavy snowfall may occur over the hills of Fata, Malakand and Hazara divisions on Wednesday and Thursday.

In Punjab and Islamabad rain with snowfall over the hills is expected at a number of places between Monday and Thursday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2017.