PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday issued an alert for heavy rains and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) for the Northern region of the province, urging the authorities and the public to adopt precautionary measures.
According to the PMDA advisory, a new series of westerly winds has entered the upper areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, due to which rains and strong winds are likely to lash the region.
It said that in view of the inclement weather conditions, there is a risk of glacial lakes bursting, PDMA has issued an alert to the administration of the relevant districts.
The advisory noted that the risk of flash floods and landslides has increased due to a sudden change in the weather pattern in the upper districts, including Chitral Upper and Lower, Swat, Dir Upper, Kohistan Upper, and Mansehra.
The PDMA also issued instructions to the district administrations, urging them to continuously monitor sensitive glacial sites and keep the timely warning system active.
The local population and tourists have been instructed to avoid unnecessary movement near streams and rivers.
Whereas it stressed to people living in low-lying areas to remain alert and move to safe places in case of any emergency. The concerned district administrations have been directed to conduct emergency drills, keep safe evacuation centres active and ensure the availability of rescue personnel.
PDMA has also directed the public to immediately move to a safer place in case of a sudden change in water flow, unusual sounds of mud or stones.
Besides, it has instructed to move livestock and essential goods to safe high places in sensitive areas, with emphasis on keeping the community alert system active.
Instructions were issued to relevant agencies, including the National Highways Authority (NHA), Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and the Communication and Works department, to take measures to deal with possible road closures.
