The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted more rain and thunderstorm in parts of the country from March 28 to 31, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Tuesday.   

According to the Met Office, a westerly wave will enter in western parts of the country from Tuesday (tomorrow).

This weather system is likely to grip the upper and central parts of the country on 29th March (Wednesday) and likely to persist in the upper parts till 31st March. This weather system will bring rainfall with gusty winds and hailstorms in the country from Tuesday to Friday.

The Met office predicted that rain with isolated hailstorms is expected in Punjab including in Lahore, Islamabad, Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Mianwali, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Gujarat, Hafizabad during March 28 to 31.

Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Nankana Sahib will also receive rain with thunderstorms. 

Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Khanewal, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar khan are also expected to witness rain on March 29 to 30. 

"Rain-wind/thunderstorm with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms is expected in Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Quetta, Zhob, Barkhan, Harnai, Qila Saifullah, Qillah Abdullah, Chaman, Pishin, Sibbi, Loralai, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Panjgur, Awaran, Ketch from March 28 to 31," said the Met Office.  

Meanwhile, rain with moderate to isolated heavy falls with hailstorms is expected in Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on March 31. 

The Met Office also forecast another westerly wave to enter the western and upper parts of the country on April 1 which is likely to persist over KP, upper Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir and GB till April 4.

Crops at risk 

According to the PMD spokesperson, there is a risk of severe damage to standing crops (especially wheat) and weak infrastructure due to strong winds and hail storms.  

The PDM advised the farmers to cultivate crops keeping in view the weather forecast. 

“Heavy rains from 28th to March 31 may cause flooding in hilly areas of DG Khan and local rivers in Islamabad/Rawalpindi.”

Low-lying areas in Lahore, Islamabad/Rawalpindi are also feared to be submerged. 

 There will also be a risk of snowfall and landslides in Murree, the spokesperson said, adding that travellers and tourists should avoid unnecessary travel in bad weather. 

Rain with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms is expected in Sindh including Karachi, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas, and Hyderabad on March 29 to 30. 

The Met Office predicted that weather will remain dry in most districts of the country. Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad are expected to remain partly cloudy. 

The Meteorological Department said the weather will remain dry in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Kurram, Waziristan, Chitral, and Mohmand.  

There is a possibility of rain with strong winds and thundershowers in Kohat, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan are likely to experience rain with strong winds and thundershowers. 

Likewise, the weather will remain dry and partly cloudy in most districts of Punjab. 

Heavy winds and thundershowers are likely to occur in Murree, Galiyat and surrounding areas. 

Similarly, it is expected to remain cloudy in most districts of Balochistan including Quetta, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Chaman, Qila Saifullah, and Qila Abdullah. There is a possibility of rain with strong winds and thunder in the above said districts too.  

Sibi, Nasirabad, Dalbandin, Barkhan, Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Nokundi, Panjgur, Gwadar and Pasni are likely to receive rain with strong winds and thundershowers, the Meteorological Department added. 

It will remain partly cloudy in parts of Sindh province including Sukkur, Larkana and surrounding areas.  Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are likely to experience gusty winds and thundershowers, the Meteorological Department concluded.