Warns that people living in hilly areas of K-P, G-B and Azad Kashmir should remain cautious due to risk of landslides
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecast rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds in various parts of the country ahaead of Eid holidays as a new westerly wave is expected to enter the country from the evening of March 17.
According to the Met Office, the weather system will move into the western parts of the country on the evening or night of March 17, gradually spreading across most regions by March 18 before weakening by March 20.
The change in weather is linked to a westerly wave, a naturally occurring seasonal weather system that often brings rain, wind and cooler temperatures.
Balochistan is likely to be among the first regions affected. Rain and strong winds, along with occasional thunderstorms and isolated hail, are expected in areas including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Zhob, Kalat, Khuzdar, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur and Awaran from the evening of March 17 until the morning of March 20, with intermittent breaks.
PMD Weather Alert:
Rain-wind-thunderstorms and snowfall expected in many parts of Pakistan from 17–20 March due to a new westerly wave.
Possible hailstorms and temperature drop expected.
Tourists and farmers advised to stay cautious.#PakistanWeather #PMD #WeatherAlert pic.twitter.com/VjsD7UHS9T— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) March 16, 2026
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is forecast to experience rainy and breezy weather with thunderstorms and snowfall over higher mountains in districts including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan. Isolated hailstorms may also occur in some areas.
Rain and strong winds are also expected in Punjab and Islamabad. Cities including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha and Sahiwal are likely to receive rain with occasional thunderstorms and isolated hail from the night of March 17 through the morning of March 20. Southern Punjab districts such as Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan may see similar conditions on March 18 and 19.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir are also expected to experience cloudy weather with rain, thunderstorms and snowfall over higher elevations. Areas including Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu, Diamir, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Poonch, Mirpur and Kotli may see heavier spells, particularly in parts of Kashmir.
Read More: Rainfall brings relief as weather system moves into Punjab
Sindh is forecast to experience cloudy conditions with rain and occasional thunderstorms on March 18 and 19 in districts including Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Mirpurkhas, Badin and Thatta.
The Met Office warned that people living in hilly areas of K-P, G-B and Azad Kashmir should remain cautious due to the risk of landslides on slopes and mountain roads.
Pakistan’s Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a detailed weather advisory indicating that widespread rain, breezy conditions, and occasional thundery spells are expected to move across much of the country from the evening of March 17 through March 20, overlapping with the… pic.twitter.com/ddyQEx2c6O
— APP (@appcsocialmedia) March 16, 2026
Lightning may also occur at isolated places during thundery spells, and residents are advised to stay indoors during periods of heavy rain.
Farmers have been advised to take necessary precautions to protect crops, as isolated hailstorms could damage standing crops in some areas. Daytime temperatures across the country are also expected to drop slightly during the period.
Also Read: NDMA issues advisory for rain, thunderstorm across Pakistan from March 14-16
Travellers and tourists were advised to plan Eid journeys according to the weather conditions and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy spells of rain.
Authorities said relevant government departments were alerted to ensure public safety.
