ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide weather alert, warning of possible flash floods, urban flooding, and landslides in various parts of Pakistan until July 24, following forecasts of heavy rainfall.
According to the NDMA, a significant rise in water levels is expected in rivers, local streams, and hill torrents, posing a risk of flash flooding in several vulnerable areas.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, districts including Hunza, Shigar, and Ghanche are likely to experience flash floods in the Shimshal, Hunza, Chapursan, Kilik, Shigar, Shyok, and Hushe rivers.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, water levels may rise dangerously in the Jhelum, Neelum, Poonch, and Mahl rivers, as well as the Betar and Bhimber nullahs, Kanshi River, and tributaries of the Jhelum and Poonch rivers.
The NDMA has also warned of flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the Chitral, Kabul, Swat, and Panjkora rivers, along with local streams in Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Kohat, Bannu, Karak, Hangu, Lakki Marwat, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Mansehra, Buner, and Swabi districts.
In Punjab, hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan, the Soan River, the Potohar region, and several seasonal streams are expected to witness increased water flow. High flood levels are also forecast in the Chenab River at Marala and the upper reaches of the Jhelum River near Mangla. Water levels are also likely to rise in the Dora, Dota, Dwara, Bhimber, Halsey, Aik, Palkhu, Bein, Basantar, Deg, and Sukhi nullahs.
The authority cautioned that additional water releases from India’s Thein, Pong, and Bhakra dams could further increase flows in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers.
Urban flooding is also feared in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Khushab, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Chakwal, and Attock due to heavy rainfall.
Separately, the NDMA issued a landslide alert for July 21–23 for mountainous areas of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, warning of landslides, falling rocks, and debris flows on several key routes, including Zangram–Ayun, Bamburet, Drosh–Lawi, Hindur–Barkulti, Qarghalti, Upper Yasin, Badswat–Balahans, Puriyan Sar, Shamsabad, Ultar–Shisper, Karimabad–Altit, Hopper Nagar, Rama–Astore, Trishing–Rupal, and the Jaglot–Skardu Road (RD 20–80).
The NDMA has directed provincial and district administrations to continuously monitor rivers and streams, pre-position rescue teams, and implement precautionary measures in vulnerable areas. It also advised the public to avoid crossing flooded rivers, streams, and hill torrents during periods of high water flow and to refrain from unnecessary travel to landslide-prone mountainous regions.
The authority urged citizens to stay updated through the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application and advised all provincial and district authorities to remain on high alert to respond effectively to any weather-related emergencies.
