The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of a fresh spell of unsettled weather set to hit large parts of the country from the evening of May 2, with strong winds, heavy rain and hailstorms expected over the coming days.
In its latest advisory, the Met Office said a westerly weather system is likely to enter the northwestern regions on Saturday evening and remain active in upper parts until the morning of May 5. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is expected to face the strongest impact, with widespread dust-thunderstorms and occasional heavy downpours forecast across the province.
Several districts including Chitral, Swat, Dir, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan are likely to experience intense weather activity between May 2 and May 4. The department noted that these conditions may occur in phases, with breaks in between.
Hailstorms raise concern for commuters
The alert also covers parts of Punjab and Islamabad, where similar weather patterns are expected. Areas such as Murree, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Sialkot may see dust storms, rainfall and isolated hailstorms during the same period.
While heavy rain often draws attention due to flood risks, hailstorms can cause sudden and costly damage, particularly in urban areas. Even small hailstones can dent vehicles, break windscreens and damage exposed property within minutes. Repair workshops often report a rise in denting and glass replacement cases after such events.
Memories of last year’s sudden hailstorm in Islamabad remain fresh for many residents. Large hailstones struck parts of the city in the afternoon, damaging cars and forcing motorcyclists to take shelter under bridges. The intensity of the storm caught commuters off guard and disrupted traffic in several areas.
The Met Office has advised local authorities to stay prepared and urged the public to take precautionary measures, especially during outdoor travel. Citizens have been asked to park vehicles in covered areas where possible and avoid unnecessary movement during severe weather.
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