ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday issued a nationwide advisory warning of an elevated risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), flash floods, landslides and urban flooding across northern and central Pakistan from July 1 to 4.
According to the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), rising temperatures, an active monsoon system and the influence of westerly weather waves are expected to accelerate glacier melting and trigger heavy rainfall, increasing the likelihood of multiple weather-related hazards.
The authority said continuous monitoring and risk assessments are underway to ensure timely dissemination of warnings to provincial administrations and relevant emergency response agencies.
Which areas face the highest risk of GLOFs?
The NDMA warned that glacier-fed regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir face an increased threat of glacial lake outburst floods due to accelerated glacier melting and forecast heavy rainfall.
The authority said the evolving weather conditions could trigger flash floods, debris flows, landslides and rockfalls, posing significant risks to mountain communities.
Residents and local administrations in Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Kharmang, Astore, Diamer, Upper and Lower Chitral, Swat and other glacier-fed valleys have been advised to remain on high alert.
The NDMA also warned of increased water flows in the Hispar-Hopper Nullah, raising the risk of flash flooding, debris flows and riverbank erosion.
Which regions are under flash flood alert?
The NEOC issued a separate flash flood alert for July 1–4, warning that heavy rainfall could cause sudden increases in water levels in hill torrents and seasonal streams across parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts including Charsadda, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Kohat, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swat, Upper and Lower Dir, Chitral, Shangla, Buner, Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan have been identified as vulnerable to flash flooding.
Seasonal streams in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Khushab, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin may also experience flooding.
In Balochistan, localised flash floods are forecast for Zhob, Sherani, Musa Khel, Barkhan, Sibi, Kohlu, Dera Bugti and Loralai.
What other hazards has the NDMA warned about?
The authority said heavy rainfall could also trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of major cities, causing traffic disruptions and inundating roads and residential neighbourhoods.
It warned that roads, bridges, irrigation systems and other public infrastructure could sustain damage due to flooding and landslides.
The NDMA directed all relevant departments to maintain emergency preparedness, monitor river flows and glacial lakes, ensure drainage systems remain operational and implement precautionary measures throughout the forecast period.
What advice has been issued to the public?
The NDMA has advised residents living in low-lying areas, riverbanks and glacier-fed valleys to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rainfall and strictly follow official safety advisories and evacuation instructions issued by local authorities.