PDMA Warns KP Districts to Stay Alert as Rain, Thunderstorms Loom
News Desk
Peshawar: After enduring a relentless heatwave, residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) can finally expect some relief as widespread rain is forecast across the province starting Friday evening.
According to a weather advisory issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), intermittent rain accompanied by thunderstorms is expected through Saturday in most districts, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Malakand, Buner, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Waziristan, Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, Bannu, Karak, and Kohat.
The PDMA has directed all district administrations to remain on high alert and ensure the availability of emergency machinery and resources to handle any potential crisis.
Residents are urged to exercise caution during the inclement weather, particularly by avoiding contact with electric wires, unstable buildings, and billboards. Farmers have been advised to plan agricultural activities accordingly, while tourists and those in mountainous areas are encouraged to stay updated on weather developments and take necessary precautions.
The forecast comes as a welcome reprieve following days of extreme heat that shattered a decade-long record in parts of the province. On Friday, Dera Ismail Khan recorded a blistering 46°C, while Peshawar reached 43°C — the highest temperatures for May in 10 years.
The scorching conditions have severely disrupted daily life, with marketplaces deserted and hospitals reporting a surge in heatstroke and dehydration cases. Prolonged electricity load-shedding across several districts has further exacerbated public distress.
The extreme heat has also triggered wildfires in multiple mountainous regions, raising additional environmental concerns. Health experts have advised people to stay indoors between 11 am and 4 pm, drink plenty of water, and wear light-colored clothing to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Despite the escalating situation, the provincial government has yet to announce any emergency measures to mitigate the effects of the ongoing heatwave.
