PMD Forecasts Widespread Rain and Snowfall Across Pakistan From Tonight

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain and snowfall across multiple regions of the country from Sunday through Tuesday, as a fresh weather system moves in.

According to the Met Office, areas including Islamabad, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, and Galiyat are expected to receive rainfall, while snowfall is predicted in higher-altitude and mountainous مناطق. A cold wave continues to affect several parts of the country, with a new series of westerly winds expected to enter western regions tonight and extend towards northern areas by Monday.

The PMD stated that rain, wind, and thunderstorms, along with snowfall at scattered locations, are likely in numerous districts of Balochistan, including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Turbat, Gwadar, Jiwani, Kech, Awaran, Chaghi, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Washuk, and Kharan.

Upper Sindh districts such as Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, and Dadu are also expected to experience similar weather conditions on January 26. Heavy snowfall spells are forecast in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar, as well as in Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Rawalakot, and Haveli.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Buner, Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi, Malakand, Mardan, Kohat, Kurram, Khyber, Hangu, Bajaur, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan, along with Murree and Galiyat, are expected to face similar conditions on January 26 and 27.

Rain, wind, and thunderstorms are also likely in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and various parts of Punjab, including Chakwal, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujrat, Sargodha, Mianwali, Gujranwala, Multan, Layyah, Bhakkar, and Dera Ghazi Khan, with intermittent breaks.

Rescue operation

Severe weather conditions have significantly disrupted daily life, particularly in upper regions, where heavy snowfall and extreme cold have blocked roads and restricted movement.

In response, the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps (FC) have launched continuous relief operations in affected areas, including Tirah. Several vehicles stranded in heavy snow have been rescued and relocated to safer locations.

Security personnel are supervising relief activities on the ground, while affected families are being provided with food supplies, blankets, essential daily-use items, and emergency medical assistance. Local residents have praised the efforts of the Pakistan Army and FC for their timely and effective support during the ongoing crisis.