ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a severe weather alert for the next 12 to 24 hours across the country, predicting thunderstorms, strong winds and snowfall in mountainous areas.
According to the NDMA alert, during this time, rain with gusty winds and hail is also likely in most parts of the country. Snowfall is expected in the high mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
Thunderstorms and strong winds have been predicted in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Malakand, Kohistan, Mingora, Battagram, Haripur, Peshawar and Mansehra.
Similarly, thunderstorms and rain have also been predicted in Abbottabad, Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, DI Khan and Waziristan.
Strong winds and rain are also predicted in various cities of Punjab including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot and Mandi Bahauddin during the next 24 hours.
Similarly, rain and snowfall are also expected in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir areas of Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ganchhe, Astore, Diamer, Kharmang, Shigar, Ghizer, Nagar, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli, Poonch, Kotli and Neelum Valley. Wind and rain are also expected in Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Qila Saifullah, Pishin, Barkhan and Kohlu of Balochistan.
NDMA has warned citizens that strong winds, lightning and hail can damage vulnerable buildings, trees, crops and power systems. Roads may become slippery due to rain, while there is also a risk of traffic flow being affected. Travel may be further complicated due to snowfall in mountainous areas.
The agency has further said that the risk of landslides has also increased due to continuous rain in mountainous areas, so citizens should avoid unnecessary travel, drive carefully and follow instructions related to weather conditions.
