PESHAWAR: With the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasting more downpours from July 27 to 31 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has warned district administrations about floods and landslides, asking them to act immediately to minimise damage to public life and property.

It stressed the need for clearing rainwater drainage systems and strengthening vulnerable structures.

In an advisory for the deputy commissioners across the province, the PDMA quoted the PMD as revealing that another bout of monsoon rains will begin in most parts of the province on July27 that will last until July 31.

It pointed out that under the influence of the new meteorological conditions, rain accompanied by lightning and gusty winds was very likely over Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Buner, Malakand, Battagram, Shangla, Kohistan, Kolai Pallas Kohistan, Torghar, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu, Bannu, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, North and South Waziristan from July 27 night to 31 with occasional gaps.

PDMA asks authorities to clear drainage channels, strengthen vulnerable structures

The PDMA said that heavy to very heavy rainfall was likely at isolated and scattered locations over the province during the period.

It sounded the alarm, saying that the downpours could cause flash floods in nullahs and streams of Galiyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Kolai- Palas Kohistan, Abbottabad, Buner, Bajaur, Battagram, Buner, Hangu, Torghar, Haripur, Karak, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Khyber, Kohat, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Peshawar, Shangla, Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Malakand, Mansehra, Mohmand, Orakzai, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Tank and North and South Waziristan districts.

Also, there is a likelihood of flooding in low-lying areas of Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan as well asin the Chitral, Swat, Panjkora and Kabul rivers.

The PDMA also warned authorities about landslides, which, it said, could cause road closures in the vulnerable hilly areas of Abbottabad, Battagram, Buner, Chitral, Dir, Khyber, Kohistan, Kolai-Palas, Kohistan, Kurram, Malakand, Mansehra, Mohmand, Orakzai, Shangla, Swat, Torghar and North Waziristan.

It pointed out that heavy rainfall, windstorms and lightning could damage weak structures like roofs and walls of mud houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels.

The PDMA urged district administrations to take precautionary measures to minimise damage to public and animal lives and infrastructure.

It also recommended assessment and planning of the deployment of additional resources, checking traffic to and in the vicinity of vulnerable choke points and tourist spots, and keeping people away from loose structures like buildings under construction, advertisement hoardings, electric poles, solar panels to prevent losses and save lives.

The PDMA urged district administrations to regularly monitor flow of water into rivers and streams, clear waste from drainage systems to facilitate the smooth flow of water and minimise the risk of urban flooding, coordinate with municipal administrations for mitigation and preparedness measures for landslides and urban flooding and protect billboards and hoardings from strong winds, thunderstorms and hailstorms.

It also said that farmers should take necessary measures to protect their crops from winds, rain and hailstorms.

“Travellers on provincial and national highways in at-risk and affected areas should be forewarned of adverse conditions and detoured to safe waiting areas under the guidance of local authorities, national highway and motorway police and law-enforcement agencies,” it said in the advisory.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2025