ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of heavy rains and thunderstorms in northern parts of the country that it said could lead to flash floods and landslides.
It issued a weather advisory for northern Pakistan, warning of potential flash floods and landslides as it sees thunderstorms and heavy rainfall today night.
A weather system entering northern Pakistan from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal is likely to interact with a westerly disturbance, bringing spells of rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms to the area of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the advisory warned.
According to the NDMA’s National Emergency Operations Centre, a weather system entering northern Pakistan from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal is expected to interact with a westerly disturbance, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms to Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Heavy rains could trigger flash flooding
“Residents in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are advised to take precautionary measures,” the NDMA said, adding that rising water levels could trigger flash flooding in rivers and streams.
According to the NDMA, dust storms, rain, and thundershowers are also likely to hit parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Upper Punjab, Islamabad, and Gilgit-Baltistan over the next 12 hours.
The intense weather is likely to affect routine life in several districts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province including Kohat, Nowshera, Chitral, Buner, Malakand, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Charsadda, Swabi, Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, and Haripur.
The severe weather could lead to strong winds and dust storms damaging buildings, rooftops, power lines, and vehicles, while also causing low visibility and road accidents.
The NDMA urged the residents to avoid standing near trees, billboards, or loose structures during high winds, and advised motorists to limit travel and park in secure areas.
The weather advisory further said that heavy rainfall heightens the risk of flooding in rivers and streams across areas at potential risk adding mountain roads remain particularly vulnerable, with possible traffic disruptions due to landslides.
Hot and humid weather is likely to persist in other parts of the country. The NDMA has also recommended the public to stay updated using the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert App.
