The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a landslide warning for Pakistan’s northern regions, urging tourists to avoid unnecessary travel on mountain roads as heavy rainfall is expected to increase the risk of landslides over the next 48 hours.
According to the NDMA’s National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), persistent rainfall and soil erosion could trigger landslides along the Juglot-Skardu Road (JSR) and the Skardu-Roundu section between July 7 and July 9.
NDMA said Skardu and nearby areas, including Bromdo Nullah, Chamcho, Malupa, and the Dambodas-Tormik-Haramosh section, are among the locations most vulnerable to landslides during the forecast period.
“The current weather conditions strictly align with the proactive weather assessments previously issued by the NEOC,” the NDMA said, warning that erosion in local streams and possible mudslides could make travel even more hazardous.
The disaster management authority has directed local administrations to remain on high alert and ensure emergency preparedness to minimise potential disruptions caused by landslides and adverse weather.
Tourists and commuters have been advised to exercise extreme caution while travelling through mountainous areas, particularly near steep slopes and landslide-prone routes.
The NDMA also urged the public to use its official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application to receive real-time weather alerts, safety advisories and verified emergency information.
The warning comes as severe weather continues to batter Gilgit-Baltistan, where dozens of families have been displaced by flash floods, glacial lake outburst floods and rising river levels.
In Damas village near Gahkuch in Ghizer district, rain-triggered flash floods damaged houses, shops, orchards, crops and link roads, although no casualties were reported. Authorities are currently carrying out repair work on the Gilgit-Shandur Road.
Moulaabad village has emerged as one of the worst-affected areas, with the Ghizer River causing extensive riverbank erosion. The situation has worsened after rising temperatures increased river flow following last year’s glacial lake outburst flood in the Talidas area.
Officials said around a dozen houses have been damaged, while floodwater has entered more than 30 homes, forcing families to evacuate. Agricultural land, irrigation channels and standing crops have also been submerged, with authorities warning that continued erosion could threaten additional homes in the coming days.
Also read: Heavy rain, thunderstorms forecast for upper and central regions: PMD
