PESHAWAR, Oct 05 (APP):The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has alerted district administrations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to possible rain, thunderstorms and strong winds expected in different parts of the province from Monday night until October 7.
The weather system is likely to affect several upper districts, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra and Abbottabad, with rain accompanied by thunderstorms expected in these areas.
The PDMA said the weather activity could bring down daytime temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.
In view of the forecast, the authority has asked district administrations to remain vigilant and complete precautionary arrangements to deal with any weather-related emergency.
Officials have particularly been directed to keep a close watch on rivers, streams and rainwater channels.
The authority also advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel during bad weather and urged citizens to take precautions during thunderstorms, particularly by staying indoors or moving to safe locations and keeping away from electricity lines and other vulnerable structures.
People have also been cautioned against entering or crossing floodwater, while relevant departments have been directed to keep drainage systems functional to prevent water accumulation in vulnerable areas.
The PDMA has further directed authorities to ensure the availability of rescue personnel and emergency equipment so that any situation arising from the weather could be handled promptly.
The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is monitoring the weather situation round the clock, the PDMA spokesperson said, adding that citizens could contact the authority’s helpline at 1700 in case of an emergency.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
