Rain Expected in Karachi and Other Cities Before Eid ul-Fitr: PMD

A new weather system is expected to bring widespread rainfall to several parts of Pakistan from March 17 to 20, with Karachi and other areas of Sindh likely to experience showers during the Eid ul-Fitr holiday period, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

The Met Office released a comprehensive weather advisory indicating that widespread rainfall, gusty winds and occasional thunderstorms are expected to affect large parts of the country beginning on the evening of March 17.

Although the weather pattern will remain active during this time, authorities say they are closely monitoring the situation and have issued guidance to help the public remain cautious and prepared.

According to the PMD, the shift in weather conditions is being caused by a westerly wave — a seasonal atmospheric system — that is predicted to enter the western regions of the country by the evening or night of March 17.

The system is forecast to gradually extend to most regions of Pakistan by March 18 and is expected to weaken by March 20, bringing a few days of cooler but unsettled weather.

Balochistan is likely to be among the first areas affected. Rainfall accompanied by strong winds, thunderstorms and isolated hailstorms is expected in several districts including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur and Awaran, along with surrounding areas.

These conditions are expected to continue intermittently from the evening of March 17 until the morning of March 20.

In Sindh, cloudy skies with periods of rain and thunderstorms are forecast on March 18 and 19 for cities including Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Mirpurkhas, Badin and Thatta.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also expected to receive rainfall with breezy conditions and occasional thunderstorms, while higher mountainous regions may witness snowfall. Affected districts may include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohat, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan. Isolated hailstorms are also possible in some areas.

Across Punjab and the federal capital Islamabad, rain accompanied by gusty winds and isolated hail is expected from the night of March 17 through the morning of March 20. Cities such as Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha and Sahiwal are likely to experience these weather conditions.

Southern Punjab districts including Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan are also expected to see rainfall and gusty winds on March 18 and 19.

The northern regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir will likely experience cloudy weather with rain, thunderstorms and snowfall over higher elevations. Areas such as Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu, Diamer, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Mirpur and Kotli are included in the forecast.

The Met Office has advised residents in mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir to remain cautious due to the potential risk of landslides on slopes and mountain roads.

Officials also warned that lightning strikes could occur at isolated locations during thunderstorms, advising people to stay indoors during heavy rainfall.

Farmers have been urged to take precautions to protect crops, as strong winds and possible hailstorms could damage standing crops in some areas.

During this period, daytime temperatures across the country are expected to remain lower than usual.

Travellers and tourists planning journeys during the Eid holidays have been advised to monitor weather updates, check road conditions and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rainfall.

Relevant government departments have been placed on alert and are taking precautionary measures to ensure public safety during the forecast period.