The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued guidelines for federal and provincial departments to ensure effective measures to cope with any emergent situation amid weather forecasts of more rain-thunderstorm and hailstorm across the country. The NDMA informed that as per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast a westerly wave was likely to enter western parts of the country on April 2 and likely to intensify in upper parts of the country by April 3 and to persist in upper parts of the country till April 4.
Under the influence of this weather system, rain-wind and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms were expected from April 2-4 (Monday to Tuesday) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab. Moreover, heavy rains might cause flash floods in Swabi, Mardan, Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Nowshera, Waziristan, Bajur, Kurram, Kashmir during the forecast period.
Landslides may occur in hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Galliyat, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir and Murree during the forecast period, it added. In light of the forecast shared by PMD, following region-specific impacts are expected. Therefore, all concerned stakeholders are to remain vigilant against possible hazards. Moreover, strong wind and hailstorm may cause damage to loose infrastructure and standing crops (particularly wheat crop) in the country.
The Authority in the light of the above forecast directed all the provincial disaster management authorities (PDMAs), Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA), State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).—NNI
