The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a high alert for potential heavy rainfall and flooding across several regions of Pakistan over the next 24 to 48 hours, urging both the public and local administrations to undertake urgent precautionary measures.
According to an NDMA spokesperson, the combination of glacial melting and intense rainfall could trigger floods in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, and the Kumrat Valley. Specific high-risk areas in Gilgit-Baltistan include Badswat, Hanarchi, Tarsat, Hundur, and Darkot, where a rapid increase in water levels is anticipated due to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
The authority has also forecast urban flooding in multiple cities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, and Kotli, as well as in densely populated urban centers such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Kasur, and Mandi Bahauddin.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rains accompanied by windstorms are expected in Peshawar, Mardan, Swat, Dir, Kohistan, Bannu, Karak, and Waziristan, with low-lying areas remaining vulnerable to flash floods.
Southern Sindh, particularly Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Badin, Umerkot, and Jacobabad, has also been identified as highly susceptible to urban flooding. The National Emergency Operations Centre cautioned that electrical systems could be impacted and plain areas of Sindh and Punjab may experience waterlogging.
In Balochistan, heavy rains with dusty winds are anticipated in Quetta, Ziarat, Khuzdar, Zhob, Sibi, Dera Bugti, and Loralai.
Additionally, thunderstorms in the mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK may lead to landslides, potentially complicating rescue and relief operations.
Public Advisory and Hotel Warning Issued
The NDMA has urged citizens to stay away from weak structures, mud walls, electricity poles, and billboards during rain and windstorms to prevent injuries.
In light of the recent Swat tragedy, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourist Services Wing has separately issued a strict advisory to all hotels and restaurants in tourist destinations.
The advisory warned, “Hotels on riverbanks must immediately remove seating areas and avoid setting up any temporary barriers.”
The wing emphasized that businesses near rivers should conduct safety inspections, adhere to official guidelines, and obtain NOCs for any new construction. It added that non-compliance will result in administrative and legal action.
NDMA’s Appeal
The NDMA has appealed to the public and relevant government bodies to remain alert, follow advisories, and report any emergency situations to the authorities. Local administrations have been instructed to ensure emergency response teams are on standby, especially in high-risk zones.
