ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued “impact-based weather alerts” for multiple regions of Pakistan, warning of heavy rainfall, urban flooding, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and associated hazards over the next 24 to 48 hours.
NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) has forecasted heavy rainfall in Azad Jammu & Kashmir’s (AJK) Neelum Valley, Bagh, Kotli, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, and Haveli.
The potential impacts include flooding in low-lying areas, transport disruption, and drainage system overload due to persistent downpours.
Thunderstorms may cause damage to weak structures, reduce visibility, and result in temporary power outages.
The center also warned that intense rainfall and above-normal temperatures may increase GLOF risks in northern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, including Upper Dir, Chitral, Swat, Reshun, Booni, Brep, Sardar Gol, Arkari, Dir Gol, Thalu l & 2, and Kumrat Valley.
These areas face threats of sudden flash floods, GLOF, infrastructure damage, and travel disruption.
Similarly, isolated rain and thunderstorms are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Karak, Kohat, Kohistan, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, Nowshera, Malakand, Charsadda, Bannu, Buner, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, and Waziristan.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, rapid glacier and snowmelt combined with rain have escalated the risk of GLOF in high-altitude valleys such as Badswat, Hinarchi, Tursat Hundur, Darkut, and Ishkoman.
Rainfall is also likely in Hunza, Skardu, Astore, Chilas, and adjoining regions, which could lead to rising river levels, flash floods, and damage to transport and power infrastructure.
In Punjab, widespread rain and thunderstorms are forecasted in Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad, Khushab, Sargodha, Narowal, Chiniot, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Lahore, Okara, and Kasur.
The region faces risks of urban flooding, power outages, damage to fragile structures, and traffic disruption due to poor visibility during dust and rain spells.
Islamabad will also witness the same weather conditions in the next 24 to 48 hours.
In Balochistan, isolated rainfall is expected in Quetta, Zhob, Loralai, Ziarat, Kalat, Musakhel, Khuzdar, Awaran, Barkhan, Jaffarabad, Kohlu, Sibi, and Dera Bugti.
In Sindh, widespread rain and thunderstorms are likely in Jacobabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Nawabshah, Khairpur, Kashmore, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Umerkot, Sanghar, Jamshoro, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Thatta, Badin, and Karachi.
NDMA urged all provincial and district administrations to remain on high alert, activate contingency plans, and ensure the timely dissemination of warnings in local languages.
Citizens, especially those in high-risk areas, are advised to stay updated through official advisories, avoid unnecessary travel near glacial streams, riverbanks, and flooded roads, and keep emergency kits ready.
