The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast unsettled weather conditions in parts of northern and north-western Pakistan, with rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms expected in the coming hours.
Cloudy conditions are likely to persist across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and the Potohar region, where rainfall accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms is expected. At a few locations, heavy downpours and hailstorms may also occur.
In Islamabad and adjoining areas, cloudy skies are expected with rain and thunderstorms, while isolated hailstorms cannot be ruled out.
Rain is also forecast in Khyber, Mohmand, Peshawar, Swabi and Mardan. Meanwhile, Charsadda, Nowshera, Bannu, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat and Hangu are likely to experience gusty winds along with thunderstorms and rain.
Most districts of Balochistan are expected to remain dry, although partly cloudy conditions are predicted in the northern parts of the province. Zhob, Qila Abdullah, Pishin and surrounding areas may receive rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms.
Weather in the remaining parts of the country is expected to remain predominantly dry.
Air quality concerns amid regional developments:
The advisory comes amid growing environmental concerns following reports of airstrikes on oil storage facilities in Iran that triggered massive fires and thick plumes of smoke. Experts warn that prevailing wind patterns could carry polluted air masses toward western parts of Pakistan, potentially affecting air quality in the coming days.
