RAWALPINDI/ MUZAFFARABAD: More rain and snowfall are expected in upper parts of the country, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad, on February 26 and February 27.

The Met Office said a westerly wave was likely to enter Balochistan on February 25 (night) and may grip upper parts of the country on February 26.

Under the influence of this weather system in Punjab and Islamabad, light to moderate rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is expected in Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Layyah and Dera Ghazi Khan on February 26 (evening/night) and 27. Isolated hailstorm may also occur during the period.

In Sindh, cloudy weather with gusty winds is expected in southern parts of the province on February 25 and 26. In Balochistan, rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) with few heavy falls is expected in Chaghi, Noushki, Kharan, Panjgur, Gwadar, Awaran, Khuzdar, Kalat, Lasbella, Sibbi, Quetta, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel and Kohlu on February 25 and 26.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mohmand, Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Kohat, Bannu and Waziristan from February 25 (night) to 27 with occasional gaps. Isolated hailstorm may also occur during the period.

Rain-wind/thunderstorm (snowfall over the hills) is also expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur from February 25 (night) to 27 with occasional gaps. Isolated hailstorm may also occur during the period.

The weather advisory stated that snowfall may disrupt and cause closure of roads in northern Balochistan and heavy rain may cause flash flooding in nullahs/streams in Balochistan particularly in Gwadar, Ketch, Panjgur and Awaran districts on February 26.

It said snowfall may disrupt roads in Murree, Galiyat, Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum valley, Bagh, Poonch and Haveli on February 26 (evening/night) and 27. There is also possibility of landslides in upper KP, Murree, Galiyat, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Wind-thunderstorm may damage loose structures like electric poles, vehicles and solar panels etc. Farmers and tourists are advised to remain extra cautious during the spell. Concerned authorities are advised to remain ‘alert’ and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation during the forecast period.

Muzaffarabad

Amid the forecast of more rains and snowfall, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDAM) has directed all departments and administration officials concerned to make advance arrangements to meet any eventuality. SDMA director general Raja Tahir Mumtaz informed media persons on Friday that instructions had been passed on to the district disaster management authorities (DDMAs), Rescue 1122, highways, electricity and other departments concerned to ensure round the clock monitoring and take required precautionary measures in advance to effective deal with any emergency situation in close liaison with the central control room in Muzaffarabad.

On their part, the public should also demonstrate responsibility, he said, urging people, particularly tourists, not to embark on any journey without obtaining prior information of the routes and following the needful precautionary measures during the forthcoming spell of rains and snowfall.

“We have passed on instructions to all concerned officials and departments to guide passengers in their respective areas about the dangers posed by flash floods, landslides and possibly snowfall amid significant drop in temperature in the high altitude areas on the one hand and provide them all possible assistance particularly in the event of any untoward incident,” he said.

They have been ordered that Rescue 1122 services, such as ambulances, fire tenders, earth moving machines etc, must be made available in areas vulnerable to landslides and flash floods, he added. Mr Mumtaz said all concerned institutions had been directed to liaise with law enforcement agencies and National Highway Authority.

In response to a question, he said, the civic bodies had also been told to identify tumbledown electricity and telephone poles, solar panels, hoardings and under construction or shabby structures at the risk from strong winds, hailstorm, heavy rains and snowfalls and take requisite measures to well in time to avoid any physical or material losses.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2024