Weather alert: NDMA issues flood warning across country

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has raised a rain and flood alert for various regions of the country. NDMA has raised an alert in connection with Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) for Gilgit Baltistan, Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, and Kumrat valley.

The alert indicates that the heavy rainfall and elevated temperatures have raised the probability of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, instant flash floods, road and infrastructure damage, isolated thunder and rainstorms, and public mobility disruption in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s northern districts.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, swift snow and glacier melting, along with rain, have increased the threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in high-altitude valleys and their surrounding areas, which may cause rising water levels in rivers, flash floods, and impairment of transport and power facilities.

For Azad Kashmir, rain is forecasted, which can cause flooding in low-lying areas, movement impairment, and drainage system overloading as a result of prolonged downpours.

In Punjab, extensive rain and thunderstorms are forecasted in high-altitude regions, such as Murree and Galiyat, and central Punjab.

Such weather can lead to urban flooding, electricity breakdowns, damage to weakly constructed buildings, and disruptions of traffic owing to low visibility during rain and dust spells. Similar weather patterns can be expected in Islamabad in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Isolated thunderstorms, strong winds, and rainfall are predicted in various parts of Baluchistan, which may cause weak structures to be damaged, lower visibility, and result in power outages.

Heavy rain is predicted over a wide belt in Sindh, covering Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpur Khas, Thar Parkar, Badin, Umar Kot, and Jacobabad districts, which may cause urban flooding, traffic disruptions, and losses to fragile structures and electricity lines.