PMD warns Iran conflict may worsen air quality in country's western parts

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday warned that prevailing winds from Iran could carry pollutants into Pakistan and worsen air quality in parts of the country following recent developments in the neighbouring country amid attacks by the United States and Israel.

Israeli warplanes on Saturday struck oil storage depots and refining facilities in Iran’s capital, Tehran. Massive fireballs and dense plumes of smoke rose above the city as joint US-Israeli airstrikes hit fuel storage facilities, triggering large fires and sending thick smoke across the Iranian capital.

In a press release issued today, the PMD said, “Due to the recent situation in Iran, the winds may carry pollutants, and deteriorate air quality in the western parts of the country.”

The Met Office also forecast rain and thunderstorms in the upper parts of the country from March 9 to 12, as a westerly weather system approaches the region.

According to the PMD, a westerly wave is expected to reach the western parts of Pakistan on Monday evening and may persist until Thursday, bringing unsettled weather conditions to several northern areas.

Under the influence of the system, partly cloudy to cloudy weather with moderate rain, wind and thunderstorms, including occasional heavy falls, is expected in districts, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battgram, Buner, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur, as well as parts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, from the evening of March 9 until March 12.

Read More: PMD installs new seismic observatory in Hunza

Light rain and thunderstorms are also likely in Khyber, Mohmand, Peshawar, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera, Bajaur, Bannu, Waziristan, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu and Mianwali on March 10 and 11, the department said.

The PMD added that rain, wind and thunderstorms are expected in Islamabad, the Pothohar region, Murree, Galliyat and surrounding areas from the night of March 9 to11, with occasional gaps.

The weather department further warned that hailstorms may occur at isolated locations in Islamabad and other upper parts of the country during the forecast period.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) alert for several upper districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), warning of a possible glacial lake burst due to rising temperatures and expected rainfall.

According to the PDMA, district administrations in Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat and Upper Kohistan have been directed to take precautionary measures in view of the potential risk.

The authority said that rainfall expected between March 10 and 12 could increase the chances of glacial lake outbursts and flash floods in vulnerable mountainous areas.

PDMA warned that the unusual rise in temperatures had further increased the risk of glacial lakes bursting in the upper parts of the province.

District administrations have been instructed to continuously monitor sensitive locations, inform vulnerable communities in advance and identify safe places for evacuation if needed.

Authorities have also been directed to keep rescue and emergency services on high alert to respond quickly to any emergency situation.

The PDMA advised tourists and travellers to avoid unnecessary travel to high-risk areas, while residents of low-lying areas were urged to take precautionary measures.

The authority said that it had already issued a weather alert for March 9 to 12, forecasting rain and thunderstorms along with a rise in daytime temperatures in the plains.

PDMA added that its Emergency Operations Centre is fully operational, and the public can contact the PDMA helpline 1700 in case of any emergency.