The NDMA also warned that rising temperatures could accelerate the melting of glaciers and snow in northern regions. PHOTO: APPLICATION
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 are likely to experience heavy rains, windstorms, thunderstorms and hailstorms in the next 12 to 24 hours due to the weather conditions already predicted in its seasonal outlook.
According to the media wing of the NDMA, the current weather conditions were entirely consistent with the previous NEOC climate assessment released three to four months ago for the April-June period.
The authority said Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir are likely to receive widespread rains accompanied by strong winds and hail at isolated places.
The alert said 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 GB and Azad Kashmir, rainfall with thunderstorm activity was 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 forecasts 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 hailstorms likely 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 (GLOFs), flash floods and landslides in vulnerable mountainous areas.
Citizens have been advised to avoid visiting glacial lakes and dangerous slopes, while travelers have been urged to exercise caution as adverse weather conditions could disrupt travel in hilly areas. The authority also warned that strong winds and hailstorms could damage fragile structures, solar panels and vehicles.
The NDMA urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel during extreme weather conditions, stay in safe places during windstorms and follow instructions issued by local government and weather advisory authorities.
The authority further ordered all relevant departments and emergency response agencies to remain on alert and take advance preparedness measures to deal with any potential emergency situation.
