PDMA issues alert as heavy rains, thunderstorms threaten KP

PESHAWAR, Aug 16 (APP): Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a weather alert following predictions from Meteorological Department regarding heavy rainfall and thunderstorms expected across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from August 17 to 21. The forecast indicates widespread severe weather during this five-day period across northern, central, and southern districts, including Chitral (Upper and Lower), Dir (Upper and Lower), Swat, Buner, Shangla, Malakand, Bajaur, Kohistan (Upper and Lower), Kolai Palas, Battagram, Torghar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Swabi, Khyber, Mohmand, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu, and Orakzai. Downpours are also expected to hit Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, D.I. Khan, Tank, and Waziristan (North and South) between August 20 and 21. In response to early warnings, Director General of Rescue 1122 Shah Fahad urged public to take strict safety precautions, particularly advising citizens to refrain from swimming in rivers and streams or undertaking unnecessary travel, hiking, and trekking due to heightened landslide risks. Authorities advised people to keep away from power poles, signboards, steep terrain, and unfinished structures during storms, while also cautioning women against crossing flooded areas or bridges.