The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and provincial disaster management authorities have issued warnings of rain and snowfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab in the next few days.
According to the PMD, cloudy weather with light rain and snowfall would be experienced in the upper districts of KP from Saturday to Tuesday. A new western weather system is expected to affect the region during the period of time from January 31 to February 3.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) KP has issued alerts for upper districts like Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Upper & Lower Chitral, Upper & Lower Dir, Swat, Buner, Malakand, Battagram, Shangla, Upper and Lower Kohistan as well as Kolai-Palas. And intermittent rainfall will also occur in the plains including the areas of Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, North and South Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan.
Authorities have called on the district administrations and concerned departments to be on their best and take precautionary measures. Snowfall at higher levels may cause the fall in temperature. Rain and snow may cause road blockages and slippery roads, especially in tourist destinations like Naran, Kaghan, Kalam and Chitral.
Similarly, PDMA Punjab has issued warnings about rain and snowfall in upper parts of the province between February 1 to 3rd. Murree, Galyat, and adjacent areas are likely to receive snowfall while rainfall is likely pour over Potohar region, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, and Gujranwala.
Local authorities, including health departments, Rescue 1122, police and transport departments have been put on high alert. Punjab Chief Minister has directed all the concerned agencies to be ready.
DG PDMA Punjab, Irfan Ali Kathia, said the emergency control rooms will also be operated round the clock. Facilitation centres have been established in Murree to help tourists who are also advised to observe safety guidelines, avoid speeding and drive cautiously.
Citizens can call PDMA helpline 1129 if there is an emergency or PDMA helpline 1700 to get updates.
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