NDMA warns of cold wave, calls for proactive measures by local authorities

A weather advisory issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday urged the concerned authorities to make necessary preparations ahead of the expected cold wave in the country.

A “westerly wave” is expected to approach the western parts of the country from December 29 (today), bringing rain and snow to scattered areas from tonight through January 2, NDMA said.

According to the advisory, “the system is expected to affect most upper and central parts of the country on December 31 and persist in the upper regions until the morning of January 2.”

The NDMA warned that “snowfall may cause road closures and slippery conditions in Naran, Kaghan, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Shangla, Astore, Hunza, Skardu, Murree, Galiyat, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Poonch, and Haveli from the night of December 30 until the morning of January 2.”

It further forecasted a possibility of “landslides and avalanches in the hilly regions of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir during the same period.”

“The authority advised tourists to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable and high-altitude areas,” the statement said. In central and southern Punjab, as well as the province of Sindh, “fog conditions are expected to prevail during the wet spell,” the advisory added.

Considering the likely conditions, the NDMA has directed all concerned provincial DDMAs, the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority, the State Disaster Management Authority, and the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration to make necessary arrangements.

The advisory also instructed the relevant authorities to “remain vigilant, ensure timely dissemination of information, keep emergency response teams on alert, and take proactive steps to minimize possible risks to life, property, or critical infrastructure.”

The statement noted that “the NDMA is closely monitoring the situation.”

Meanwhile, the Pakistani Meteorological Department announced in its weather update that rain and thunderstorms, along with snow in the hills, are expected in most regions of the country next week. It said daytime temperatures would continue to fall, which will become more noticeable once the system moves through the area.