PDMA issues alert for torrential rains

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday issued an alert for torrential rains and snowfall with windstorm, thunderstorm and isolated hailstorm in the province from February 29 to March 2.

The PDMA, in its advisory to all the deputy commissioners (DCs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said that the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, Peshawar had informed that a strong westerly wave was likely to approach western parts of the province on February 29 and may grip most parts of the province on March 1, and may persist till March 2.

Under the influence of the weather system, it said, a heavy to extremely widespread rain with windstorm/ thunderstorm (heavy snowfall over the hills) was expected in Chitral (Lower & Upper), Dir (Lower & Upper), Malakand, Buner, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Torghar, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Charsadda, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Hangu, Karak, Kohat, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, D I Khan, and North & Sought Waziristan districts from February 29 to March 3. It said that isolated hailstorm was also likely to occur during this period.

The PDMA warned that the weather system might cause flash flooding in hill torrents and local nullahs as well as urban flooding in main cities of the province during the forecast period.“The heavy rain/snowfall may also cause landslides and closure of roads in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Torghar, Battagram, Mansehra, and Abbottabad districts while windstorm/ hailstorm may damage structures like electricity poles, vehicles and solar panels,” it added.