NDMA asks tourists and non-essential travelers to skip trips to northern Pakistan until July 14
The National Weather Prediction Center of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday forecast rain, windstorms and thundershowers in the north of the country over the weekend.
Westerly waves and moist currents from the Arabian Sea are expected to penetrate the upper parts of the country and gain strength on Saturday night, according to the department.
The PMD predicted rain, windstorm or thunderstorm in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar of Gilgit-Baltistan from July 11 to July 13 (evening) with occasional intervals.
For Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the department predicted a similar weather forecast.
Predicted rain, windstorm and thundershower with isolated heavy falls in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu on 11th and 12th July.
The Meteorological Department also warned of rain, windstorm and thundershower with isolated heavy falls in several parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir namely Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Neelum Valley, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur from July 10 (night) to July 13 with occasional intervals.
The department advised local authorities to remain alert during the current weather forecast.
He said wind storms and lightning could damage weak structures such as solar panels, power poles and billboards.
“Landslides are possible in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on July 11 and 12,” the warning said, adding that water flow may increase in local streams and nullahs of the above-mentioned regions during the forecast period.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned tourists and non-essential travelers to avoid northern areas from July 10 to 14 in the wake of glacial flash floods and landslides posing an immediate high-level threat.
Its National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) said landslide alerts covered July 11 to 13, while flood and river flooding warnings were in place in GB, KP and AJK until July 14.
Authorities were ordered to carry out rapid hazard assessments and transmit real-time alerts to local administrations.
Authorities warned that rising temperatures and ongoing heavy rain could cause flooding in glacial lakes, hill torrents, debris flows, river flash floods and rockfalls in vulnerable glacial valleys.
The NDMA outlined multiple high-risk zones including Badswat, Ashkoman, Hinarchi, Yasin Valley, Khaplu, Hisper Glacier, Hopper Glacier and surrounding areas.
In its warning, the authority also highlighted vulnerable roads including Jaglot-Skardu, Hunza-Gojal and Gilgit-Ghizer. In addition, it added Naltar Valley, Bagrot Valley and Hermosh to the list of high-risk routes.
The NEOC asked citizens to take immediate precautions, such as staying away from glacial lakes, river channels and known floodways and avoiding traveling on landslide-prone roads.
The advisory also ordered travelers to follow instructions issued by local authorities.
The authority warned that river bank erosion and sudden debris flows could quickly worsen conditions and instructed district administrations to mobilize emergency response teams and issue warnings on the ground.
For official updates and safety guidance, the public and visitors were instructed to use the Pakistan NDMA Disaster Alert app.
