KARACHI: A shallow westerly weather system is forecast to bring rain and strong winds to various parts of Pakistan, including Karachi, over the weekend of February 16–17, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The Met Office stated that the incoming system will likely trigger rain accompanied by gusty and dust-raising winds in several areas. Thunderstorms are also expected in parts of the country during this period.
In Balochistan, widespread light to moderate rainfall with strong winds and thunderstorms is predicted from the evening of February 16 through February 17. Cities including Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Chaghi, Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Kalat, Mastung, Barkhan, Sibi, Loralai, Khuzdar, Kech, Turbat, Panjgur, Gwadar, Awaran, Kharan, Pasni, Ormara, and Lasbela are expected to experience intermittent showers.
Sindh is also likely to be impacted on February 17, with rain and gusty winds forecast for Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Thatta, Badin, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, and Khairpur.
Meanwhile, southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Waziristan, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Kurram may receive light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms between the night of February 16 and February 17.
Parts of southern Punjab such as Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bhakkar, Layyah, and Bahawalpur could witness isolated light rain or drizzle along with strong winds on February 17.
The PMD has cautioned that hailstorms are possible in northern Balochistan as well as in Dera Ismail Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan. Such weather conditions may pose risks to crops and vulnerable structures.
Farmers have been advised to take preventive steps to safeguard standing crops, while residents are urged to exercise caution during dust storms and heavy rainfall and to stay updated through official weather advisories.
