Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has informed vide Press Release dated 17 January 2023 attached at Annex-A, that a westerly wave is likely to enter North Balochistan on 18 January 2023, and produce rain/snowfall in parts of Balochistan till 19 January 2023. Under the influence of this weather system:-
a. Rain/snowfall with isolated heavy falls are expected in Quetta, Zhob, Barkhan, Ziarat, Chaman, Pishin, Nokkundi, Dalbandin, Harnai, Qilla Saifullah, Qilla Abdullah, Muslim Bagh, Kalat, Khuzdar, Turbat, Panjgur and Makran coast on 18 & 19 January 2023.
b. Partly cloudy to cloudy weather conditions in other parts of the country.
c. Another weather system is likely to approach upper parts of the country from 21 January 2023.
2. Apropos, all PDMAs/ GBDMA/ SDMA and ICT Administration, NHA, NH&MP, FWO, Rescue 1122, line departments, Ministries and Federal agencies are required to undertake measures as per respective mandate. However, following is to be ensured by all concerned in addition to measures deemed appropriate as per on ground situation/ requirements: -
a. Ensure pro-active approach; by diverting traffic, providing alternate routes, imposing move/ travel restrictions, to avert any situation of road closure with stranded people.
b. Ensure widespread circulation of advisories/ alerts to raise awareness and sensitize travellers/ tourists.
c. Prepare general and area/ region specific awareness campaigns and ensure wide spread propagation of likely threats/ hazards.
d. Engage local communities at traditionally dangerous/ hazard prone sites to enable round the clock monitoring and establish feedback mechanism for early warnings and alerts for at-risk population.
e. PDMA/ DDMAs to arrange and preplace necessary inventory and other essentials at strategic locations/ vulnerable/ choke points in coordination with NH&MP/ NHA/ FWO, local C&W, Rescue 1122 and line departments.
f. Local administrations to assess and plan deployment of additional resources and exercise control over vehicle movement leading to and in vicinity of vulnerable/ choke points/ tourist spots/ attractions to prevent losses/ damages and save precious lives.
g. Medical resources; paramedics, equipment and medicine be deployed as per the vulnerability/ risks identified in different regions to meet respective regional requirements.
h. Ensure that Tourists / Visitors / Travelers in at-risk / affected areas to be apprised / forewarned about forecasted weather and road conditions in coordination with NH&MP/ LEAs/ NHA/ FWO.
i. Ensure availability of emergency services personnel during the forecasted period.
j. Travellers on Provincial & National Highways in at-risk / affected areas be forewarned of adverse conditions and may be detoured to safe waiting areas under guidance of respective PDMAs, Local Authorities, National Highway & Motorway Police, LEAs, etc.
k. Ensure immediate stocking of basic commodities especially in regions that get cut-off during winters snowfall.
l. Ensure round the clock monitoring of situation through EOCs with regular feedback to PEOCs and NEOC.
m. Tourists / Visitors / Travelers to check PMD Weather Forecast for information on fog/ snowfall/ rain/ high flows in nullahs/ landslides etc to assess road conditions from control rooms/ helplines/ websites/ social media platforms of NH&MP/ NHA/ FWO/ DDMAs/ PDMAs before undertaking journey.
n. In case of any eventuality, twice daily / routine updates to be shared with NDMA.
o. With possibility of another weather system from 21 January 2023 onwards ensure that all required measures for upcoming spell are completed in coordination with line departments.
