AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, The National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a severe weather alert, forecasting ongoing rains through April 22, with potential flooding risks in the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions. These conditions are expected to escalate into flash floods, particularly affecting various districts within these provinces.
According to Press Information Department, the NDMA has pinpointed areas expected to experience significant impacts, including Khuzdar, Ziarat, Zhob, Sherani, Muslim Bagh, Quetta, Pishin, Kech, Panjgur, Gwadar, and Turbat. These regions are advised to prepare for immediate flash floods in local nullahs, with particular vigilance in low-lying areas of southwestern Balochistan. A subsequent weather system is projected to bring milder conditions between April 23 and 24, followed by a more intense system from April 25 to 29, anticipated to cause heavy rainfall and potential hailstorms across Balochistan, Sindh, and Punjab.
The NDMA is urging relevant departments to ramp up their preparedness for flash floods, especially in the most vulnerable areas, and is calling on local authorities to ensure their emergency response mechanisms are in place. Citizens residing in or traveling to the at-risk areas are advised to adhere to safety guidelines, which include avoiding proximity to electric poles and unstable structures, and steering clear of driving or walking through waterways.
Additional precautions are advised for farmers, cattle owners, tourists, and travelers, who should remain cautious, monitor weather and road conditions regularly, and take necessary actions to safeguard crops, livestock, and personal safety. Further updates and detailed advisories are expected to be issued as the situation develops.