ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued a nationwide weather advisory warning of thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy rainfall across large parts of Pakistan over the next 12 to 24 hours, with authorities cautioning about possible urban flooding, flash floods, landslides and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in vulnerable areas.
According to the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), the expected weather system is in line with the seasonal forecast issued several months ago. The authority said it had been sharing advance warnings and risk assessments with federal, provincial and district administrations to facilitate preparedness and emergency response efforts.
The NDMA warned that mountainous regions remain particularly vulnerable to glacier-related flooding, with an elevated risk of GLOF incidents in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Such events could trigger sudden flooding, landslides and debris flows in affected areas, officials said.
In Punjab and Islamabad, rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds 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.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir are also forecast to receive widespread rainfall and thunderstorms, including in Gilgit, Skardu, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Hunza, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Kotli, Poonch, Hattian, Mirpur and Bhimber.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain and thunderstorms are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar, Kohat, Parachinar, Karak, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan.
Parts of Balochistan, including Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Khuzdar and Zhob, are likely to receive rainfall and thunderstorms, while areas of Sindh such as Jacobabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Dadu, Ghotki, Kashmore, Shikarpur, Shaheed Benazirabad and Karachi may experience strong winds, dust storms and isolated rainfall.
The NDMA said district administrations and relevant agencies have been directed to maintain heightened vigilance and continue monitoring vulnerable areas. Rescue and emergency response teams have also been instructed to remain prepared for any developing situation.
Authorities advised tourists and travelers to avoid unnecessary journeys during periods of heavy rainfall and to check weather forecasts and road conditions before visiting northern regions, where flooding, landslides and debris flows could result in road closures.
The NDMA urged citizens to remain updated through the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application and to immediately contact local authorities or rescue services in the event of an emergency.