PESHAWAR: The KP Provincial Disaster Managers issued a fresh flood warning after the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast continued wet weather in areas of the province.
In its weather advisory, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) revealed that downpours are likely to swell local streams and rivers today, with the risk of flooding in districts including Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan and Abbottabad. Persistent rain is likely to cause landslides in mountainous areas, threatening road access and cutting off remote communities, it added.
It noted that low-lying parts of Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan may also face urban flooding.
The PDMA has warned that strong winds and heavy showers could damage mud houses and fragile structures such as mud houses, walls, electricity poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels.
Local administrations, police and rescue services have been placed on high alert, while the public and tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, keep away from riverbanks and stay updated to avoid any mishaps.
In its weather forecast, the PMD also warned of widespread heavy rains that could trigger flash floods and landslides in several parts of the country during the next 24 hours.
According to the forecast, strong downpours may cause flooding in local streams and rivers across Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi and Mardan.
Heavy showers are also expected in Murree, the Galliyat region.
Meanwhile, in Dera Ismail Khan, powerful winds and torrential rain brought down trees and electricity lines, cutting power to many areas. Roof collapses in different localities left at least seven people dead and dozens more injured, according to rescue officials.
KP government spokesperson Faraz Mughal has revealed that the loss of lives in Dera Ismail Khan due to storms and heavy rain was “deeply saddening”.
He added that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had directed the district administration and rescue services to remain on high alert.
Emergency has been declared in hospitals across Dera Ismail Khan to provide immediate medical aid to the injured, he said.
Rescue and power restoration teams are working at the sites, while the provincial government has pledged all possible relief for those affected, he stressed.
Separately, in in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, hours of downpour triggered flash floods in streams and drains. The Bhara Kahu area was submerged, with water entering shops and houses while vehicles were left stranded.
Several hiking trails in the Margalla Hills were closed for public safety. Hiking trails in the Margalla Hills, including Trails 2, 3, 4, 5 and the one behind Saidpur village, were closed for safety reasons.
In its weather forecast for other parts of the country, the Met Office said that heavy downpours are likely in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, north-eastern Punjab, Kashmir and Dera Ghazi Khan, raising the risk of overflowing seasonal waterways.
The national forecaster has cautioned that low-lying areas in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan may also face waterlogging.
The Met Office said that north-eastern Punjab could see particularly intense showers, while southern Punjab, north-eastern Balochistan and south-eastern Sindh are also likely to receive rain with thunder during the evening and night.
In Punjab, the provincial PDMA has raised concerns over rising water levels in the Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej and Jhelum rivers.
The authority warned that flooding is possible in northern and north-eastern districts, with the Sutlej already flowing at a high level near Ganda Singh Wala and expected to remain elevated for at least 48 hours.
Rescue teams have been deployed to sensitive areas, while announcements are being made at mosques and through local authorities to alert communities at risk.
People have been advised to contact the PDMA helpline 1129 in case of emergencies.
According to the advisory, rivers including the Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej and Jhelum could experience medium to high levels of flooding, with the risk of flash floods in northern and north-eastern districts.
Instructions have been issued to ensure that all emergency arrangements are in place, with rescue units already deployed to vulnerable areas.
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