The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a weather alert forecasting scattered rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, and dust storms across parts of Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the next 12 to 36 hours.
People living in the affected areas are being advised to stay alert, secure any loose items, and avoid unnecessary travel during this period of unstable weather.
The NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) warned in its impact-based advisory that powerful winds and thunderstorms could uproot weak trees and potentially cause temporary power outages.
Dust storms could damage fragile rooftops, vehicles, and electrical infrastructure, while also reducing visibility and increasing the risk of road accidents.
To stay safe, the public is urged to steer clear of trees, billboards, and unstable structures during storms. It’s also recommended to park vehicles in sheltered spots and limit time spent outdoors.
Regions expected to be most at risk include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mianwali, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Lahore, Narowal, and surrounding areas.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the weather is expected to affect several areas such as Chitral, Battagram, Kohistan, Kohat, Kurram, Bannu, Mardan, Peshawar, Swabi, Charsadda, Nowshera, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur, and Mohmand.
The NDMA encourages the public to use the “Pak NDMA Alert App” for real-time updates and added that it is closely tracking the situation while working with relevant authorities to ensure timely responses and public safety.