Rain alert across the country, flood and landslide risk in northern areas

ISLAMABAD: The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an alert in view of the possibility of rain, possible flood situation and landslide risks in different parts of the country during the next 12 to 24 hours.

According to the NDMA, there is a possibility of thundershowers in various parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, while there is also a risk of glacial lake outburst and flooding in rivers and canals in the northern areas.

The NDMA says that the current weather situation is in line with the weather assessment issued by the agency three to four months ago.

The agency is continuously informing the relevant federal, provincial and district authorities about possible hazards in advance so that emergency situations can be dealt with and timely preparedness can be ensured.

According to the alert, rain with thundershowers is expected in various districts of Punjab including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Jhelum, Hafizabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Multan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addo, Bahawalpur and Hasilpur.

Rains have also been predicted in the districts of Chitral, Dir, Swat, Mingora, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Similarly, rain has also been predicted in the areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, including Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Diamer, Ghanche, Astore, Shigar, Kharmang, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Kotli, Poonch and Bhimber.

According to the NDMA, thunderstorms are also expected in the districts of Zhob, Musa Khel, Barkhan, Kohlu, Dera Bugti and Sui in Balochistan.

Furthermore, there is a risk of glacial lake outburst, landslides and increased water flow in rivers and streams in the northern areas between June 13 and 15.

The agency has warned that local flooding may occur in sensitive valleys including Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu, Shigar, Astore, Diamer, Upper and Lower Chitral, Swat, Kalam and Bahrain.

The possibility of traffic flow on highways and link roads due to rains and melting of glaciers has also been expressed.

According to the NDMA, there is a risk of landslides on Shigar Valley Road, Skardu Road, Deosai Road and Karakoram Highway, while Karakoram Highway, Naran Road and Jaglot-Skardo Road may also be affected.

The NDMA has directed all relevant agencies to remain alert and advised tourists and travelers to check the weather and road conditions before traveling to the northern areas.

The public has been directed to use the NDMA’s official app “Pak NDMA Disaster Alert” for timely information and safety instructions.

The agency has also issued instructions to all provincial and district administrations to be fully prepared to deal with possible weather conditions.