The NDMA also warned that rising temperatures could accelerate the melting of glaciers and snow in northern regions. PHOTO: APP
The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued a nationwide weather alert, warning that several parts of Pakistan were likely to experience heavy rain, windstorm, thunderstorm and hailstorm during the next 12 to 24 hours due to the prevailing weather conditions already forecast in its seasonal outlook.
According to the NDMA Media Wing, the current weather pattern was fully consistent with the NEOC’s previous climate assessment issued three to four months ago for the April-June period.
The authority said Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir were expected to receive widespread rain accompanied by strong winds and hail at isolated places.
The alert stated that heavy rain and thunderstorm were expected in Islamabad, Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Gujar Khan, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Layyah, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Lahore, Kasur, Mianwali, Sargodha, Jhang and Multan.
In Britain and Azad Kashmir, rain with thunderstorm activity is expected in Gilgit, Skardu, Ghanche, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, Shigar, Kharmang, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli, Poonch, Rawalakot, Kotli, Mirpur and Bhimber.
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The NEOC also forecast strong winds and thunderstorms in several districts of KP including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mardan, Bajaur, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan, with chance of hailstorm at some places.
The NDMA warned that rising temperatures could accelerate the melting of glaciers and snow in northern regions, increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), flash floods and landslides in vulnerable mountain areas.
Citizens were advised to avoid visiting glacial lakes and dangerous slopes, while travelers were urged to exercise caution as adverse weather could disrupt movement in mountainous regions. The authority also warned that strong winds and hailstorms could damage weak structures, solar panels and vehicles.
The NDMA urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather conditions, stay in safe places during windstorms and follow instructions issued by local administrations and meteorological advisory authorities.
The authority further ordered all relevant departments and emergency response agencies to remain on high alert and ensure advanced preparedness measures to deal with any potential emergency situation.
