Pakistan’s northwest issues weather alert as rain, snowfall forecast from Jan. 31

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Pakistan’s northwest on Friday directed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) authorities to take precautionary measures ahead of a fresh spell of rain and snowfall expected from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3.

The alert follows a warning issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Jan. 25 of possible landslides and avalanches in hilly areas, urging residents, travelers and tourists to exercise caution.

The PMD issued the warning after at least nine people were killed and a child was injured in an avalanche that struck a house in KP’s Chitral district earlier this month on Jan. 23.

“According to the Meteorological Department, a new spell of westerly weather is likely from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3,” KP’s PDMA said in a statement.

“Snowfall is expected at a few locations in upper areas, with a possible drop in temperatures.”