Islamabad, 13 Oct 2023: A substantial weather shift featuring moderate to heavy rainfall, which may escalate water flows in local Nullahs and streams, consequently triggering landslides in specific areas of Northern Pakistan, has been signaled in a warning from the NWFC (National Weather Forecasting Center). The concerned regions, spotlighted to experience these weather perturbations from Friday night through to Tuesday, include Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, and Abbottabad.

A clear shift in the synoptic situation has been noted, with a westerly wave currently influencing the northern parts and is projected to extend its influence to the upper and central parts by Saturday. Specifics for the forthcoming days have been detailed by NWFC as follows:

Friday: A likely occurrence of a windstorm, rain-thunderstorm, and snow over high mountains in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, the Potohar region, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir, with the potential for isolated heavy falls during this period.

Saturday: The weather outlook forecasts a windstorm, rain-thunderstorm (snow over high mountains) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, upper Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir. Isolated hailstorms are also probable in plain areas, with heavy falls expected in Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Potohar region. Conversely, dry weather is anticipated in other parts of the country.

Reflecting on the past 24-hour weather, most parts of the country remained dry, with the highest maximum temperatures being recorded in Dadu and Shaheed Benazirabad at 41°C.

Given the issued warning and the specified synoptic situation, inhabitants of the mentioned vulnerable areas, travellers, and local authorities are expected to exercise necessary precautions and maintain vigilance during the indicated period to mitigate any potential risks that may arise from the weather patterns.