The weather conditions in the upper districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are likely to worsen tonight, in view of which the Meteorological Department and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have issued an emergency alert.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, strong westerly winds have entered the northern parts of the country, due to which heavy rain with thundershowers and hailstorms are expected in Swat, Chitral, Dir, Shangla, and Kohistan.
Experts have warned that flash floods may occur due to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) in the upper areas, which can pose a serious threat to local settlements and infrastructure. Due to the sudden rise in water levels in rivers and streams, the district administration has been put on high alert, and people living along the river banks have been instructed to evacuate or be extremely cautious.
Due to the risk of landslides in mountainous areas, tourists and travelers have also been advised to avoid unnecessary travel from tonight to tomorrow. There is a possibility of landslides on the Karakoram Highway and the Swat-Chitral connecting roads, which may disrupt the traffic system.
According to the PDMA, the deputy commissioners of all the concerned districts have been ordered to keep heavy machinery ready and rescue teams in the field to deal with any unexpected situation. The local population has been asked to stay away from electricity poles and weak walls, and in case of emergency, immediately contact the provincial helpline 1700.
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