Major westerly weather system to sweep across Pakistan from April 01–04:PMD

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Mar, 2026) The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), through a significant weather advisory, warned of widespread rain, thunderstorms and strong winds expected to grip much of the country between April 01-04.

The trigger is a westerly wave forecast to move into southwestern Balochistan on April 01, gradually extending its influence across nearly all provinces over the following days.

Balochistan will be the first to bear the brunt of the system, with rain, thunderstorms, and isolated hailstorms anticipated from the evening of April 1 across a sweeping stretch of districts from coastal areas including Gwadar, Pasni, and Ormara inland through Quetta, Ziarat, Loralai, Zhob, Khuzdar, and dozens of other regions, continuing through April 4 with occasional breaks.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will see conditions deteriorate from the night of April 1, with rain and thunderstorms affecting the entire province from Chitral, Dir, and Swat in the north to Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan in the south.

Snow is expected over higher elevations, while isolated areas face the added threat of hailstorms and heavy downpours.

Punjab and Islamabad will also be drawn into the system from the night of April 01, with thunderstorms and hailstorms forecast across the region from Murree and Rawalpindi down through Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan. Dera Ghazi Khan and surrounding areas face a heightened risk of particularly heavy rainfall.

Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir are expected to experience rain, snow over the mountains, and hailstorms from the night of April 01, covering districts including Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, and Mirpur, among others.

Sindh will be the last province affected, with Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, and several other cities facing rain, thunderstorms, and isolated hailstorms from April 02 through April 04.

The authorities are warning of serious secondary hazards throughout the period.

Flash flooding is anticipated in northeast Balochistan and in local streams and waterways across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from April 02 to 04, while hill torrents are expected in Dera Ghazi Khan.

Landslide risk is elevated across vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.

Windstorms and lightning may damage weak structures, electricity infrastructure, billboards, and solar panels, while standing crops in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh are at risk from hail and strong winds.

The farmers have been urged to take protective measures in line with prevailing weather conditions.

The daytime temperatures are expected to fall noticeably across the country during this period.

The public, tourists, and travellers are strongly advised to exercise caution and avoid non-essential travel throughout the forecast window.

The weather system is expected to persist beyond April 04, and an updated advisory will be issued in due course.

All concerned authorities have been formally directed to remain vigilant and take all necessary measures to prevent any untoward situation during the forecast period.

For daily weather updates, the public can visit the Pakistan Meteorological Department's official website at https://www.pmd.gov.pk/en/ or download the "Pak Weather" application available on the Google Play Store at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pmd.kissan.