DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Friday issued an alert to all district administrations after forecasting rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from last night until the morning of March 16.
According to the PDMA’s Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, rain is expected in the upper districts including Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Swat, Buner and Malakand, where snowfall is also likely in mountainous areas.
Heavy rainfall may also trigger landslides in Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, Kolai-Palas, Shangla, Battagram and Torghar districts.
Rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms is also predicted in Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur, with authorities advising residents to take precautionary measures.
The authority said similar weather conditions were expected in tribal districts including Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram and Karak, directing district administrations to make emergency preparations.
Urban flooding is feared in Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera and Peshawar due to heavy rain and strong winds.
Thunderstorms and a drop in temperature are also expected in Kohat, Hangu, Bannu and Lakki Marwat.
Meanwhile, Dera Ismail Khan, North Waziristan and South Waziristan are also likely to witness flooding in rivers and canals due to heavy rain and strong winds.
The PDMA said temperatures were expected to drop by three to four degrees Celsius during the spell.
District administrations have been directed to keep rescue teams, machinery and emergency services on alert, while Rescue 1122 has been instructed to remain fully prepared to deal with any possible emergency.
Tourists and travellers have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel to mountainous and landslide-prone areas and to stay away from open spaces, weak buildings, electricity poles and signboards during storms.
The PDMA said its Emergency Operations Centre was fully functional and urged the public to report any untoward incident on the helpline 1700.
