Heatwave Continues in Southern Pakistan as Rain and Storms Expected in Upper Regions from April 16

Islamabad:As the intense heatwave continues to grip southern Pakistan, including **Sindh, South Punjab, and parts of Balochistan**, the **Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD)** has issued a mixed weather advisory—offering both relief and caution for the coming days.

According to PMD, a **westerly weather system** is expected to enter the **upper parts of the country from the evening of April 16**, bringing **rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and isolated heavy downpours**, which may persist **until April 20**.

Regions expected to be affected include **Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Buner, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu, Waziristan, D.I. Khan, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Murree, Galiyat**, and several parts of **Gilgit-Baltistan** (including **Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar**) and **Azad Kashmir** (such as **Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhnoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur**).

From **April 16 (evening/night) to April 20**, intermittent weather activity is expected, including **hailstorms** in some locations.

In **Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Mianwali, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Khushab, Jhelum, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Faisalabad, Jhang, and Toba Tek Singh**, **dust storms and thunderstorms with rainfall** are expected between **April 16 evening and April 20 morning**, with a possibility of **hail**.

Areas such as **Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Layyah, Kot Addu, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur, Multan, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Vehari, and Okara** are likely to experience **dust storms and strong winds on April 18 and 19**.

The PMD warns that **strong winds, hail, and lightning** may damage **electric poles, trees, vehicles, and solar panels**, especially those with weaker structures.

**Advisory for Farmers:**
Farmers are advised to **schedule wheat harvesting and other agricultural activities** according to the weather forecast.

In **mountainous areas** of **Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Murree, and Galiyat**, there’s a **risk of landslides**.
Citizens are urged to **avoid direct sunlight**, stay hydrated, and **take precautions during thunderstorms** for personal and structural safety.