Alert predicts rain accompanied by thunderstorms, gales and dust storms in most of the country
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued a nationwide weather alert, warning that thunderstorms, strong winds, heavy rain, urban flooding and glacier-related flood risks could affect several parts of Pakistan over the next 12 to 24 hours, with vulnerable mountainous regions facing a heightened threat of flash floods, landslides and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF).
According to the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), the expected weather pattern is consistent with the seasonal outlook released three to four months ago.
The NDMA said it has been continuously providing advance warnings and risk assessments to relevant federal, provincial and district authorities to ensure timely preparedness and effective response measures for potential emergencies.
The alert predicts rain accompanied by thunderstorms, gales and dust storms in most parts of the country.
In Punjab and Islamabad, rain is expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Gujar Khan, Gujrat, Jhelum, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Khushab, Jhang, Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.
Read: Pre-monsoon rains disrupt daily life
In Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), thunderstorms and rainfall are likely to occur in Gilgit, Skardu, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Hunza, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Kotli, Poonch, Hattian, Mirpur and Bhimber.
The NDMA also issued a separate alert on the risk of GLOF in GB, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and AJK. Authorities warned that GLOF incidents could cause flash flooding, landslides and debris flows in vulnerable mountain areas.
In KP, rain with thunderstorms is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar, Kohat, Parachinar, Karak, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan.
Balochistan is also likely to receive thunderstorms and rains in Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Khuzdar and Zhob, while parts of Sindh including Jacobabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Dadu, Ghotki, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Shaheed Benazirabad and Karachi may experience strong winds, dust storms and rains at isolated places.
Read more: Storms devastate fruit farms in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
The NDMA further said that district administrations and relevant agencies are maintaining continuous monitoring of vulnerable areas and have been directed to remain on high alert. Rescue and emergency response teams have also been instructed to ensure they are prepared for any situation that develops.
Tourists and travelers have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain and to check weather forecasts and road conditions before visiting northern regions, where road closures due to flooding, landslides and debris flows remain a possibility.
The authority urged citizens to stay updated through the official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application and immediately contact the local administration and rescue services in case of any emergency.
The NDMA directed all provincial and district authorities to remain alert and take precautionary measures to mitigate the impact of the expected weather system.
