NDMA issues advisory amid rain, snowfall prediction

• NDMA issued a detailed advisory for nationwide preparedness measures
• Met Office has predicted rain and snowfall in various part of the country
• It has instructed PDMAs and DDMAs to stay alert

ISLAMABAD: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a detailed advisory for nationwide preparedness measures to cope with rain and snowfall prediction advising the provinces to ensure mass awareness of travellers and tourists to high-risk areas.

The advisory mentioned the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast, citing that a westerly wave was likely to enter North Balochistan on January 10 (night) and was likely to grip upper parts of the country from January 11-13 (Wednesday to Friday).

Under the influence of this weather system, moderate rain was expected in Islamabad from January 11-13 (Wednesday to Friday).

In Balochistan, rain and snowfall (with isolated heavy falls) was expected in Barkhan, Chaman, Dalbandin, Harnai, Muslim Bagh, Nokkundi, Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Quetta, Zhob and Ziarat on January10 (night) and 11 (Tuesday & Wednesday). Moreover, light rain was also expected along the Makran Coast on January 11 and 12 (Wednesday & Thursday).

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain (with moderate to isolated heavy snowfall) was expected in Abbottabad, Chitral, Dir, Galiyat Region, Kohistan, Malakand, Mansehra and Swat from January 11-13 (Wednesday to Friday).

Moreover, moderate rain was also expected in Peshawar, Nowshera, Swabi, Bajaur, Bannu, Charsadda, Karak, Kohat, Kurram and Waziristan during the same period whereas light rain may also occur in Dera Ismail Khan on January 11 & 12 (Wednesday & Thursday).

In Punjab, moderate rain was expected in Potohar Region, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Jhang, Kasur, Khushab, Lahore, Layyah, Mianwali, Murree, Nankana Sahib, Narowal, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Toba Tek Singh and Okara from January 11-13 (Wednesday to Friday).

Moreover, light rain may occur in Dera Ghazi Khan, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Multan and Pakpattan on January 11 & 12 (Wednesday & Thursday).

In Gilgit Baltistan, rain (with moderate to isolated heavy snowfall) is expected in Astore, Diamir, Ghanche, Ghizer, Gilgit, Hunza, Shigar and Skardu from January 11-13 (Wednesday to Friday).

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), rain (with moderate to isolated heavy snowfall) was expected in Bagh, Bhimber, Hattian, Haveli, Kotli, Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Poonch and Sudhnoti from January 11-13 (Wednesday to Friday).

Keeping in view the weather situation, all disaster management authorities, National Highway Authority (NHA), National Highway and Motorway Police (NH&MP), Frontier Works Organization (FWO), Rescue-1122, line departments, ministries and federal agencies to undertake measures/

The NDMA advised ensuring the widespread circulation of advisories and alerts to raise awareness and sensitize travellers and tourists

The concerned departments have been instructed to prepare region-specific awareness campaigns and ensure wide spread propagation of likely threats and hazards.

They should also engage local communities at traditionally dangerous and hazard-prone sites to enable round the clock monitoring, and establish feedback mechanisms for early warning and alerts. It also advised arranging and replacing necessary inventory and other essentials at strategic locations.

It also advised the local administrations to assess and plan deployment of additional resources and exercise control over vehicle movement in vulnerable areas and tourist spots to prevent losses and damages and save precious lives.

Moreover, medical resources; paramedics, equipment and medicine should be deployed as per the vulnerability and risks identified in different regions to meet respective regional requirements.

The provincial departments and the concerned should also ensure that visitors in at-risk and affected areas will be apprised and forewarned about forecast weather and road conditions.

Travellers on provincial and national highways must be forewarned of adverse conditions and may be detoured to safe waiting areas.

They must ensure immediate stocking of basic commodities especially in regions that get cut-off during winter snowfall, ensure monitoring of situation through emergencies operation centers (EOCs).

The visitors must check weather forecast for information on fog, snowfall, rain, high flows in drains and landslides etc. to assess road conditions.

The NDMA also instructed all departments concerned to share twice daily and routine updates in case of any eventuality.

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