Shahid Jan
PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert following the potential for glacier lakes to burst in the upper parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Heavy rainfall can be expected from March 10 to March 12. This increases the chances of flash floods forming.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has directed the administrations of various districts, including Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, and Upper Kohistan. The region faces increased risk as rising temperatures across the region increase the likelihood of more glacier lakes breaching their containment.
The PDMA has required local authorities to maintain active monitoring systems, which should be installed in all disaster-vulnerable zones. District administrations were instructed to alert at-risk communities while they worked to identify locations that would serve as safe evacuation sites.
The PDMA has also highlighted the need for keeping rescue and emergency services on high alert. People living in low-lying areas must take all measures while tourists must avoid such areas.
The PDMA had previously issued a weather alert for March 9 to 12 which predicted thunderstorms and daytime temperature increases in the plains.
The PDMA Emergency Operations Center operates at full capacity which enables citizens to reach emergency assistance through the PDMA helpline at 1700.
Dry weather expected across in most parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Earlier, according to the Meteorological Department On Sunday, most districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are expected to have dry weather, with partial cloud cover likely in the northern regions during the evening and night.
According to the Met office daytime temperatures in the plains are forecasted to range from 30 to 32°C, while the mountainous areas will experience temperatures between 20 and 22°C.
However, on Monday, the weather is predicted to change, with partial to overcast skies expected in the northern parts of the province. Strong winds and light to moderate rainfall, along with thunder and lightning, are anticipated in areas such as Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kurram, Khyber, Mohmand, Kohistan, Buner, Bajaur, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Malakand during the evening and night.
Temperatures in the plains will likely remain between 30 and 32°C, while mountainous regions will see temperatures between 20 and 22°C.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has advised residents to stay prepared for potential weather changes, especially in the northern areas, where rainfall could impact local conditions.
According to the Met office temperature expected in Chitral is 6°C, Dir 7°C-9°C, and Dera Ismail Khan 7°C-9°C, while Malam Jabba 10°C-12°C, Saidu Sharif 16°C-18°C, Peshawar 17°C-19°C, and Bannu 17°C-19°C will experience partly cloudy conditions with moderate temperatures.
