RAWALPINDI(National Times)- The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, wind and thunderstorms, with snowfall over the hills, in the upper parts of the country over the next two to three days, urging the authorities concerned to take precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incident, particularly in hilly areas.

According to the Met Off­ice, a shallow westerly wave is approaching the western and northern par­ts of the country. The system is likely to intensify on Nov 12 and may persist over the upper regions until the morning of Nov 14.

In Khyber Pakhtu­nk­hwa, under the influence of this weather system, rain, wind and thundersto­rms, accompanied by isolated heavy falls and hailstorms, are expected in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Koh­is­t­an, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malak­and, Bajaur, Mohmand,

Kohat, Peshawar, Charsa­dda, Nowshera, Mar­dan, Swabi, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Hangu, Lakki Mar­wat, Karak, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan from the evening/night of Nov 10 until the morning of Nov 14, with occasional breaks. Snowfall is also likely over the mountains during this period.

In Punjab and Islamabad, light rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected in the capital city, the Potohar region, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Sargodha, Murree and adjoining areas on Wednesday (today). More rain, wind and thunderstorms are forecast for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Mianwali, Khushab and Sargodha on Nov 12 and 13, with occasional breaks.

Rain, wind and thunderstorms are also expected in Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Bhakkar and Multan on Nov 12. Isolated hailstorms are also likely during the period.

Snowfall over hills
Meanwhile, rain, wind and thunderstorms, accompanied by snowfall over the hills, are expected in Azad Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur, and Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, until the afternoon of Nov 14, with occasional breaks.

Dry weather
Mainly dry weather is expected to prevail across most districts of Sindh and Balochistan. However, isolated rain, wind and thunderstorms, accompanied by hailstorms, are expected in Duki, Harnai, Pishin, Sherani, Surab, Zhob, Barkhan, Musakhel, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Kalat and Khuzdar on the night of Nov 11 and Nov 12.

Impacts and advisories
The Met Office advised farmers to plan their agricultural activities in accordance with the prevailing and forecast weather conditions.

It warned that light snowfall over high mountains and glaciers could occur during the wet spell. Foggy conditions are also likely to develop in patches over the plains following the spell.

Daytime temperatures are expected to fall by 2-4 degrees Celsius during the forecast period.

The department urged provincial and district authorities to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incidents during the forecast period.