Islamabad, Pakistan – Web Desk: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a nationwide weather alert, warning of dust storms, heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and strong winds across multiple regions beginning May 2.
According to the advisory, a fresh westerly wave is expected to enter the northwestern parts of Pakistan on Friday evening, with its effects likely to persist in upper regions until May 5. The system is forecast to bring widespread thunderstorms and rain, particularly across upper and central parts of the country, while also easing the ongoing heatwave conditions.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is expected to be the most severely affected province, with heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and strong winds predicted in areas including Swat, Chitral, Dir, Abbottabad, Peshawar, and surrounding districts from May 2 to May 4.
In Punjab and Islamabad, dust-thunderstorms and isolated hailstorms are forecast in cities such as Lahore, Rawalpindi, Murree, Faisalabad, and Sialkot during the same period.
Northern regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, are also likely to experience rain, windstorms, and thunderstorms through May 5, with the risk of heavy downpours in vulnerable areas.
In Balochistan, including Quetta and Zhob, windstorms and thunderstorms are expected between May 2 and May 4, while parts of Sindh may see dust storms, particularly in upper districts.
The PMD has warned of potential landslides in mountainous regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir, especially on May 3 and 4, urging authorities and residents to take precautionary measures.
Separately, the department indicated that El Niño conditions are likely to develop in South Asia during the 2026 monsoon season (June–September), which could influence rainfall patterns across the region.
