Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds lashed the federal capital, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday morning, providing relief to the public from the persistent heatwave that lasted for a week.
Heavy rain, coupled with strong winds, began early in the morning and continued till filing this report, turning the weather pleasant and providing a sigh of relief to the public from the intense heat.
Apart from the federal capital, Islamabad, Peshawar, Swabi, Charsadda, and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also received heavy rain.
People in the Twin Cities rushed to restaurants for breakfast and enjoyed the pleasant rainy weather. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the heavy rain coupled with gusty winds is expected to continue for the next few days across the northern regions of Pakistan.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has predicted intermittent rains and hailstorms with strong winds and lightning in most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from tomorrow to June 5.
In view of this possible weather situation, the PDMA has issued a high alert to the district administrations across the province and directed them to take precautionary measures. According to a PDMA spokesperson, heavy rain and hailstorms are expected in upper districts like Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Buner, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra and Abbottabad during this period.
Along with this, rain with wind and thunderstorms have also been predicted in Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Kohat, Kurram, Orakzai, Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan and Tank.
Due to the rains, there is a risk of landslides in the upper districts, while there is a risk of flooding in rivers and canals in various areas. There is a risk of flash flooding in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Malakand, Buner, Abbottabad and Kohistan, while urban flooding has been predicted in the plains, especially Peshawar, Mardan and Nowshera.
The PDMA has warned that strong winds and hailstorms can damage weak buildings, electricity poles and solar panels, along with the possibility of damage to standing crops across the province, for which farmers have been instructed to take immediate protective measures.
The PDMA has directed all district administrations and relevant agencies to ensure the readiness of rescue teams and the provision of resources. Immediate steps should be taken to keep important highways open, maintain traffic flow and provide alternative routes, as well as to clean the drainage system and prevent urban flooding.
The administration has also been directed to advise tourists to avoid unnecessary travel and to keep them informed about the weather conditions. The public has been urged to stay away from floodwaters, rivers and dangerous places. The PDMA’s Emergency Operation Center is fully functional and citizens can report any untoward incident on the helpline number 170.
