Islamabad, February 27, 2024 – The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa issued a comprehensive alert on Tuesday, warning residents and officials of the province to prepare for widespread heavy torrential rains, snowfall, windstorms, thunderstorms, and isolated hailstorms expected to hit the region from February 29 to March 2.
According to the PDMA advisory directed to all deputy commissioners (DCs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Regional Weather Forecasting Centre in Peshawar, has indicated the likelihood of a robust westerly wave approaching the western parts of the province on February 29. This weather system is anticipated to prevail over most areas from March 1 to March 2.
Under the influence of this weather system, the advisory outlined the expectation of heavy to extremely widespread rain accompanied by windstorms and thunderstorms, with heavy snowfall predicted over the hills. The affected regions include Chitral (Lower & Upper), Dir (Lower & Upper), Malakand, Buner, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Torghar, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Charsadda, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Hangu, Karak, Kohat, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, D I Khan, and North & South Waziristan districts.
The PDMA also warned of the possibility of isolated hailstorms during this period. Flash flooding in hill torrents and local nullahs, as well as urban flooding in major cities of the province, is expected. The advisory emphasized that the heavy rain and snowfall may trigger landslides and lead to the closure of roads in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Torghar, Battagram, Mansehra, and Abbottabad districts.
In addition, the PDMA cautioned about the potential damage caused by windstorms and hailstorms, including harm to loose structures such as electric poles, vehicles, and solar panels. The widespread nature of the forecasted weather conditions poses a serious threat to the safety of residents and the infrastructure of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
As a proactive measure, the PDMA urged the residents to take necessary precautions, stay informed through official channels, and follow safety guidelines provided by local authorities. The provincial government has also been advised to mobilize resources for potential rescue and relief operations, ensuring the readiness of emergency response teams during this challenging weather period.
