LAHORE: Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a weather alert forecasting dust-thunderstorms and rain in several districts of the province from Monday night to Saturday.

According to a PDMA advisory issued on Monday, a westerly weather system is expected to affect the upper parts of the country from the night of May 18 and is likely to persist till May 23.

The authority predicted rain, windstorms and isolated hailstorms in Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Bhakkar, Layyah, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot and Narowal with occasional gaps during the forecast period.

PDMA Director General Umar Javed said that alerts had been issued to all commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to ensure a timely response to any untoward situation.

The advisory warned that strong winds and lightning could damage vulnerable structures, including electricity poles, billboards and solar panels.

The PDMA directed district administrations to ensure round-the-clock staffing at emergency operation centres, maintain coordination among departments, and deploy additional staff and resources in high-risk areas.

Motorway police and local administrations were also asked to provide timely traffic advisories and guidance to commuters during the spell.

Javed advised citizens to avoid open spaces and to avoid taking shelter under trees during lightning and thunderstorms. He urged farmers to take precautionary measures to protect crops from adverse weather conditions.

He also directed tourists travelling to northern areas to remain updated about weather conditions and to adopt precautionary measures during travel.

The PDMA also urged citizens to contact its helpline at 1129 in case of emergencies.

At least three persons were killed and 24 were injured in rain and windstorm-related incidents across Punjab within 36 hours last week.

Around the same time, the Nat­ional Disaster Manage­m­ent Authority (NDMA) and National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) issued a nationwide weather alert warning of thunderstorms, hea­vy rain and hailstorms in several parts of the country for 12 to 24 hours.

Heavy rains and storms in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in April left at least five people dead and several others injured.