PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a weather alert for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), forecasting rain, thunderstorms and strong winds across several districts from August 17 to 21.
As per the PDMA, various areas of the province will be facing rainfall along with gusty winds and thunderstorms during the span of five days.
Rainfall is expected to occur in upper Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, and Kohistan. Some plain districts, including Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, Nowshera, Kohat, Kurram, and Hangu, are also likely to get rainfall.
The department has issued warnings of floods in urban areas in lower Mardan and Swabi. Landslides could occur in mountainous areas of the upper districts.
Strong winds along with thunderstorms could cause destruction of weak buildings, electricity posts, hoardings, and solar panels.
The department has advised district administrations to take precautionary steps and keep monitoring of the river/stream/rainwater drain continuously.
Tourists have been informed not to travel unnecessarily in rainfalls and keep safe distances from rivers and streams. It has been requested to keep children away from waterways, ponds and other water drainage system.
In addition, the PDMA warned people not to get near the exposed electricity wires and electrical equipment during thunderstorms.
The rescue team with the relevant equipment must be on stand-by for urban flooding and landslides, said the PDMA.
Emergency services can be contacted on the toll-free number of the PDMA at 1700.
