Abbottabad: Heavy rain accompanied by hail and thunderstorms disrupted normal life across Abbottabad district on Wednesday, inundating roads, slowing traffic and causing inconvenience to commuters.
The downpour affected routine activities in Abbottabad city, while traffic remained congested on Mansehra Road, Murree Road and several other major thoroughfares in the city and adjoining areas due to water accumulation and poor visibility.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast another spell of monsoon rains, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds, across Abbottabad and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from July 16 -21. The weather system may trigger heavy rainfall at isolated places, increasing the risk of flash floods in local streams, urban flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in hilly terrain.
The PMD and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) have advised tourists to check weather and road conditions before travelling to northern areas, avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain, and stay away from rivers, streams and landslide-prone locations.
Local residents have also been urged to remain vigilant, secure loose structures, exercise caution while driving, and follow instructions issued by district authorities and rescue services.