DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Friday issued a weather alert, forecasting more rain and thunderstorms across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from Friday night through August 23.
According to the PDMA, strong winds and thunderstorms accompanied by rain are expected in several districts of the province. Rain is also likely in upper districts including Chitral, Lower and Upper Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur and Kohistan.
Several plain districts, including Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, Nowshera, Kohat, Kurram and Hangu, are also expected to receive rain.
The authority warned of a risk of urban flooding in low-lying areas of Mardan and Swabi, while landslides could occur in mountainous areas of the upper districts.
Strong winds and thunderstorms may damage vulnerable buildings, electricity poles, billboards and solar panels, the PDMA warned.
The authority directed district administrations to take precautionary measures in vulnerable areas and ensure continuous monitoring of rivers, streams and rainwater channels.
Tourists were advised to avoid unnecessary travel during rainfall, while citizens were urged to maintain a safe distance from rivers and streams. Parents were also advised not to allow children to go near streams, ponds or waterways.
The PDMA further advised citizens to stay away from exposed electrical wires and electrical appliances during thunderstorms.
Rescue personnel and necessary equipment should be kept ready to deal with possible urban flooding and landslides, the authority directed.
The PDMA said its Emergency Operations Centre was fully operational and urged citizens to report any untoward incident or obtain weather-related information through its toll-free helpline 1700.
According to a separate PDMA damage report, two people were killed and two others injured in rain-related incidents across the province between August 17 and August 20.
The deceased included one man and one woman, while the injured comprised one man and one woman.
The PDMA said eight houses were damaged due to heavy rainfall, including five partially damaged and three completely destroyed houses.
The incidents were reported in Abbottabad, Swat, Buner, Swabi and Lower South Waziristan districts.
The PDMA, Rescue 1122, district administrations and other relevant departments remained in coordination and continued relief and response activities.
The Director General of PDMA appealed to citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, refrain from visiting vulnerable tourist destinations and follow weather alerts and advisories issued by government authorities.
The PDMA Emergency Operations Centre can be contacted through the toll-free helpline 1700 for reporting emergencies and obtaining updates on weather conditions.
