The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued an alert to district administrations in anticipation of rainfall across most districts from April 6 to 9. This weather event is driven by a strong westerly wave system expected to affect various parts of the province.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts widespread rain accompanied by thunderstorms, with snowfall predicted over mountainous areas including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, and Haripur. Other districts expected to experience precipitation include Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan, with occasional breaks in rainfall during this period.
Notably, heavy rainfall and hailstorms are likely at scattered locations on April 7 and 8. The PDMA has cautioned about the risk of landslides and flash floods in various areas, along with the possibility of urban flooding in low-lying plains such as Peshawar, Mardan, and Nowshera. Strong winds and hail may also cause damage to vulnerable structures, utility poles, and solar panels.
In a significant development, the disaster management authority has urged farmers to implement precautionary measures to safeguard standing crops throughout the province in light of the adverse weather conditions.
