Citizens advised to avoid unnecessary travel, drive carefully, follow weather advisories
ISLAMABAD:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Saturday issued a rain alert for Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) from April 12 to 17.
According to the NDMA, intermittent rain was expected in Punjab, K-P, Azad Kashmir, and G-B, accompanied by thunderstorms, dust storms, and strong winds, with chances of hailstorms at isolated locations.
“Rainfall is expected in Islamabad and several cities of Punjab, including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Mianwali, and Mandi Bahauddin,” it added.
The NDMA also stated, “In contrast, Sindh and Balochistan are likely to experience hot and dry weather, with a slight to moderate rise in daytime temperatures.”
It said that snowfall was also expected in the upper and mountainous areas of G-B, Azad Kashmir, and K-P over the coming week.
“In K-P, multiple districts, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Haripur, are likely to receive rain with thunderstorms. Swabi, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan may also experience rain accompanied by strong winds,” it added.
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The NDMA said that in Karachi, the Meteorological Department’s Early Warning Centre had forecast hot weather in the city until Monday, with temperatures on Sunday likely to exceed 38°C.
“However, heatwave-like conditions are not expected as humidity will remain between 20 and 30 per cent, while northeasterly winds in the morning and sea breezes in the evening are likely to prevail,” said the statement.
The NDMA also mentioned that rain was expected in G-B and Azad Kashmir, including Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Astore, Diamer, Ghizer, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli, and Neelum Valley.
The NDMA warned that strong winds, lightning, and hailstorms may damage weak structures, trees, and power lines. Rainfall could make roads slippery and disrupt traffic flow, while snowfall in mountainous areas may affect travel.
“Continuous rain in hilly areas may also increase the risk of landslides. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, drive carefully, and follow weather advisories while staying away from trees, weak structures, and installations during strong winds and storms,” it said.
