PMD Warns of Heavy Rain and Hailstorms Across Pakistan

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned that a fresh spell of unstable weather is set to affect large parts of the country from today, bringing rain, thunderstorms, hail and strong winds to several regions. The alert is focused mainly on upper and central Pakistan, where changing weather conditions may disrupt travel, farming activity and daily routines.

According to the advisory, a new westerly weather system is expected to enter Pakistan’s northwestern areas on the evening of May 2. The system is likely to remain active over the upper parts of the country until the morning of May 5, creating conditions for widespread dust storms, heavy rainfall and isolated hailstorms.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is expected to face the strongest impact, with several districts likely to receive rain and thunderstorms in repeated spells. Areas including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Kurram, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan have been placed under weather watch.

The Met Office has urged citizens, local administrations and emergency services to remain alert during the expected spell. Officials warned that strong winds, lightning and hail could create risks for vulnerable structures, standing crops, road movement and people working outdoors, particularly in hilly and open areas.

Punjab and Islamabad are also likely to experience stormy weather between the evening of May 2 and the night of May 4. The forecast includes Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal among the areas expected to be affected.

The warning comes at a sensitive time for agriculture, as hailstorms and heavy rain can damage crops, fruit orchards and harvested produce if adequate precautions are not taken. Farmers in affected regions may need to secure stored crops, avoid unnecessary field activity during storms and monitor official updates closely.

Weather systems entering from the west often bring sudden changes to Pakistan during seasonal transition periods. While rainfall can help ease dry conditions and improve water availability, intense downpours over short periods can also trigger urban flooding, traffic disruption and landslide risks in mountainous districts.

For major cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore, the expected spell may temporarily lower temperatures but could also lead to power interruptions, tree falls, poor visibility and water accumulation on roads. Commuters have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during peak storm activity and follow guidance from local authorities.

The coming days will be important for disaster management teams, municipal bodies and provincial administrations as the weather system moves across the country. Authorities are expected to monitor conditions closely, while citizens have been urged to stay updated through official PMD advisories and take precautions until the spell weakens on May 5.