Rain and snow alert for parts of Pakistan as Sindh stays dry and warm

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain with strong winds and thunderstorms in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and several districts of Balochistan, with snowfall expected in mountainous areas. Most of Pakistan, however, is likely to remain dry, including all districts of Sindh.

The forecast points to different conditions across the country: rain and snow in parts of the north and west, limited light rain in parts of Punjab, and relatively warm daytime weather in Sindh. It could not be independently confirmed when or where the department issued the forecast.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the department expects rain in Peshawar, Kohat, Dir, Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Kurram and Bajaur. Its broader outlook for upper parts of the province includes strong winds and thunderstorms, alongside the possibility of snowfall in mountainous areas.

Rain is also possible at some locations in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, where mountainous areas may receive snow. The department included both regions among the areas likely to experience rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms.

In Balochistan, thunderstorms and rain are forecast for Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Zhob, Qilla Abdullah and Qilla Saifullah. The outlook also covers Kalat, Dalbandin, Barkhan, Musakhel, Nokundi and Khuzdar, while higher mountain ranges in the province could receive light snowfall.

Most districts of Punjab are expected to stay mainly dry. Exceptions include Murree, Galiyat, Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsa, Bhakkar, Layyah, Khushab and Sargodha, as well as their surrounding areas, where the department has predicted light rain.

For Sindh, the outlook is dry across every district, including Karachi. Daytime conditions are expected to be relatively warm, in contrast with the rain and mountain snowfall forecast for other parts of the country.

In an earlier, separate weather development reported by this publication on September 1, 2026, Pakistan issued a high alert over flood risks in northern areas. The National Disaster Management Authority warned that heavy rain over the following 48 hours could affect Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, bringing risks of flash floods, rising water levels and landslides.

That September warning identified Gilgit, Diamer, Ghizer, Hunza, Skardu, Astore and Shigar as areas at risk in Gilgit-Baltistan. Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan and Mansehra were also under close watch. At the time, the meteorological department expected northern rain and thunderstorms to continue through September 5, with river and stream levels likely to rise.

During that earlier alert, authorities were directed to keep emergency teams ready. Residents and tourists were advised to stay away from riverbanks and fast-flowing water and avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable mountainous areas.