Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a flood alert for several parts of the country due to heavy rainfall expected over the coming days, according to reports today.
Heavy rains, flooding expected
According to the NDMA, heavy rains from July 19 to July 23 may trigger flash floods in local streams, rain fed waterways and mountainous areas of Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
According to the details, rivers and streams in Gilgit Baltistan could experience moderate to high flooding. It also warned that rain fed streams in the upper and central districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may overflow.
In Azad Kashmir, the NDMA said water levels are expected to rise in the Neelum, Jhelum and Poonch rivers, along with nearby streams. People living in low-lying areas have been advised to remain alert.
The authority has also issued a landslide warning for parts of Azad Kashmir from July 19 to July 24.
Areas including Neelum, Haveli, Poonch, Muzaffarabad and Bagh face the risk of landslides due to continuous rainfall. Similar conditions can also happen in the hilly areas of Kotli, Sudhnoti, Mirpur and Bhimber.
The NDMA has advised residents, tourists and travellers to avoid unnecessary travel to mountainous areas and stay away from dangerous locations during the forecast period.
The authority also warned of possible flooding in parts of Punjab and northeast Balochistan. Rain fed streams in Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Murree and Galliyat may overflow. And water levels are also expected to rise in several districts of Balochistan.
Urban flooding is also possible in low-lying areas of Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan and Charsadda.
The NDMA has directed district administrations and rescue authorities to keep emergency teams and machinery ready. It has also urged the public to follow official instructions during any emergency and use the NDMA Disaster Alert App for verified updates.
