Asif Ali Khan
PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a winter emergency alert for eight upper districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning of above-normal rainfall and heavy snowfall.
The districts declared vulnerable to severe winter weather include Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Buner, Swat, Upper Kohistan and Lower Kohistan.
According to the Director General of PDMA, these areas are likely to receive more rainfall and snowfall than usual this winter, raising fears of road closures and disruptions to transportation in mountainous regions.
The authority has activated its winter preparedness measures and finalised a comprehensive safety and emergency response plan to deal with potential weather-related emergencies.
The PDMA chief said advance arrangements had been completed for relief operations in snowfall-hit areas to ensure timely assistance to affected communities.
All relevant departments and institutions have also been directed to remain on alert and ensure their preparedness throughout the winter season.
The authority has stressed that protecting residents and providing timely emergency assistance will remain a priority as the eight districts face the risk of severe winter weather.
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