LAHORE: A weather alert has been issued for severe rainfall across districts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and surrounding areas from Friday evening to Saturday morning that can lead to urban flooding, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned Friday.
The system “may persist at least for some time” on Sunday. “Active rain system currently hovering over upper Punjab and various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the warning said, “several localities under Multan, Bahawalpur, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, and Gujranwala divisions may observe several hours of heavy showers.”
Dust storms, thunderstorms, and strong gusty winds are also predicted over areas such as Mianwali, Piplan, Kallur Kot, Darya Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Karor Lal Esan, Choubara, Fatehpur, Khushab, Soon Valley, and Jhang.
Hailstorms in some places have been forecast “heavy downpour with thunderstorms are likely to lash across cities and localities of Peshawar, Dir, Chitral, Swat, Swabi, Abbottabad, Tank, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Hangu, Murree, Galiyat, Skardu, Gilgit, Chilas, Shigar, Islamabad, Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Sialkot, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Toba Tek Singh, Khanewal, Multan, Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Rajanpur and adjacent areas.
The rain system has the potential to enhance its strength over south and central Punjab, and a continuous downpour of several hours is possible.
Authorities “remain cautious” during heavy rain and “stay away from fragile structures, walls, rooftops, electricity poles, exposed wires” while also keeping their drainage systems unclogged and moving solar panels, cattle, and valuable vehicles.
All relevant authorities, including electricity and irrigation departments, have been asked to “monitor important installations”. All the stakeholders in general are advised to take necessary precautions regarding billboards, trees, and electric poles during the prevailing storm, as falling objects may occur.