Flood risk in major cities as NDMA warns of severe weather

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a stormy rain alert, saying that there is a possibility of flooding in major cities.

According to the details, the National Disaster Management Authority has issued an emergency alert for most parts of the country, saying that heavy rain with strong winds, gusty winds, hail, and thunderstorms are likely in different parts of the country during the next 12 to 24 hours.

The NDMA spokesperson said that heavy rain with thunderstorms is expected in the federal capital Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, and Sargodha, due to which there is a serious risk of flooding and flooding in the urban areas of Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and the entire Potohar region.

The NDMA has issued a particularly sensitive alert for the mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Kashmir.

The alert warns that there is a serious risk of glacial lakes bursting in these areas due to temperature changes and heavy rains, which may cause flooding in local streams and rivers.

In addition to the districts of Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu, Shigar, Ganchhe, Astore, and Diamer of Gilgit-Baltistan, glacier melting may also cause flooding in the areas of Upper and Lower Chitral, Swat, Kalam, Bahrain, and Arkari of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Similarly, the risk of flash floods has also been indicated in the districts of Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Bagh, and Haveli of Kashmir.

The NDMA has urged the local administration and citizens to remain alert, saying that this possible flood situation and landslides in mountainous areas are likely to cause severe damage to highways, link roads, and other infrastructure.

The NDMA has directed tourists and local populations to avoid going near rivers and streams and to take safety measures to deal with any emergency.