Punjab PDMA warns of rain and dust-thunderstorms in multiple districts till Saturday

LAHORE: Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a weather alert forecasting rain, dust-thunderstorms and strong winds in several districts of the province from Monday night until Saturday.

According to a PDMA advisory issued on Monday, a westerly weather system is expected to affect the upper parts of the country from the night of May 18 and is likely to remain in place until May 23. The authority said the weather spell could bring rain, windstorms and isolated hailstorms, with occasional gaps, to a wide range of districts across Punjab during the forecast period.

The districts named in the advisory are Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Bhakkar, Layyah, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot and Narowal.

Instructions issued to local administrations

PDMA Director General Umar Javed said alerts had been sent to all commissioners and deputy commissioners in the province so that authorities could respond promptly to any emergency situation arising from the weather conditions.

The advisory cautioned that strong winds and lightning may damage fragile structures, including electricity poles, billboards and solar panels. In response, the PDMA instructed district administrations to keep emergency operation centres staffed around the clock, maintain coordination among relevant departments, and place extra personnel and resources in areas considered vulnerable.

Motorway police and local administrations have also been asked to issue timely traffic advisories and assist commuters during the expected weather spell.

Public advised to take precautions

Umar Javed advised residents to stay away from open spaces during thunderstorms and not to seek shelter under trees in the event of lightning. He also urged farmers to take preventive steps to protect crops from possible weather-related damage.

The PDMA further advised tourists heading to northern areas to remain informed about changing weather conditions and to adopt precautionary measures while travelling. Citizens were also asked to contact the PDMA helpline at 1129 in case of any emergency.

Recent weather-related casualties

The latest alert comes after recent weather-related incidents in the province. Last week, at least three people were killed and 24 others were injured in rain- and windstorm-related incidents across Punjab within 36 hours.

At around the same time, the National Disaster Management Authority and the National Emergencies Operation Centre issued a countrywide weather alert warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and hailstorms in several parts of Pakistan for 12 to 24 hours.

Earlier, heavy rain and storms in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in April left at least five people dead and several others injured.