Islamabad:Israeli missile strikes on ‘fuel depots outside the Iranian capital’ have sparked environmental fears for the region, as the Pakistan Meteorological Department warns of possible air pollution from western winds in the country. “Due to [the] recent situation in Iran, the winds may carry pollutants and deteriorate air quality in the western parts of the country,” the PMD said in a statement.
The warning comes after Israeli airstrikes hit fuel depots outside Tehran, sending flames and thick, toxic smoke over the city. Authorities warned of potential health risks from pollutants, as black rain fell across the area. The PMD also forecast rain, wind and thunderstorms in the upper parts of the country during the next three days.
According to it, a westerly weather system is expected to affect Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Malakand and Abbottabad districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir regions, bringing moderate to occasional heavy rainfall until March 11.
There is a likelihood of light rainfall and thunderstorms occurring in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Peshawar, Mardan, Bannu, Kohat and surrounding areas on March 10 and 11. Also, the rain accompanied by thunderstorms will fall in Islamabad, the Potohar region, Murree and Galiyat until March 11, with isolated hailstorms possible.
Daytime temperatures in northern areas are expected to drop by 3-4°C. The department also warned of landslides in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir during the period and urged tourists to avoid unnecessary travel. It advised farmers to protect crops.
