ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), through its National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), has issued a nationwide heatwave alert and advisory for May 26 to 31, warning of rising temperatures, possible heatwave conditions, glacier melting, flash floods, and landslides in multiple regions.
According to the assessment, temperatures are expected to increase across most parts of the country and may range between 40°C and 48°C in affected areas.
On the instructions of the Prime Minister, the NDMA has initiated a national-level review of preparedness measures to address heat-related risks and other possible emergencies.
Provincial disaster management authorities have already started anticipatory actions, including public awareness campaigns, deployment of emergency response teams, establishment of cooling centers, and strengthening medical response systems.
Northern Areas Face Glacier Melt and Landslide Risks
According to NEOC, northern regions under the influence of westerly winds, including the Potohar region, may receive light rainfall.
However, rapid glacier melting in Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and other mountainous areas has significantly increased the possibility of floods and landslides.
Areas expected to remain vulnerable include Hunza, Nagar, Gilgit, Chilas, Astore, Shigar, Chitral, Kalam, and Upper Kohistan.
Authorities warned that roads connecting Shamshal, Attabad Lake, Karimabad, Gulmit, Shaskat Bala, and Pasu may face disruptions due to landslides.
Meanwhile, Shir Valley Road, Skardu Road, Deosai Road, and the Karakoram Highway could also witness temporary closures.
Flood-like situations may develop in Darkot, Lasht, Reshan, Boni, Bad Swat, Shaspar, Gilgan, Hanarchi, Roshan, and Kumrat due to rapid glacier and glacial lake melting.
Additional flooding concerns remain for Hunza, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche, Shigar, Chitral, Dir, Swat, and Kohistan.
Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab are on Heatwave alert
The NDMA warned that Sindh, Balochistan, and southern Punjab are expected to remain under intense heatwave conditions.
In Sindh, temperatures are expected to remain significantly high in Jacobabad, Qambar Shahdadkot, Dadu, Jamshoro, Khairpur, Sanghar, Umerkot, Sukkur, Ghotki, and Mirpurkhas.
Similarly, severe heat conditions are forecast in Chagai, Washuk, Kharan, Turbat, Dera Murad Jamali, Usta Muhammad, Sibi, Lehri, Naseerabad, and Jafarabad in Balochistan.
Punjab areas, including Multan, Lodhran, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Muzaffargarh, Bhakkar, Layyah, Lahore, Sahiwal, and Kasur, may also experience additional heatwave intensity.
