ISLAMABAD :The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued a flood warning as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast continued wet weather in different areas of the province.In its weather advisory, the provincial body said 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 said 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.
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