NDMA warns of landslide risk in northern areas and AJK this week

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority has warned of an increased risk of landslides in northern Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir from June 2 to 6, saying ongoing rainfall and glacier melt could disrupt travel and block roads in vulnerable mountain regions.

According to an advisory issued by the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre, persistent rain and accelerated glacier melt between June 2 and 5 are expected to heighten the threat in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The areas named in the alert include Chitral, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur.

Roads and travel routes flagged

The authority said a number of important transport links are especially exposed to possible landslides during the forecast period. These include the Lowari Tunnel route, Chitral-Dir Road, roads in Swat Valley, the Karakoram Highway, and the Naran-Kaghan Road.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the NDMA said the danger of landslides is likely to continue from June 2 to 6, with connectivity routes in Shahi, Sharda, Athmuqam and Arang Kel identified as areas of concern.

The NEOC also warned that heavy rain in upper catchment areas could lead to localised rises in streams and nullahs, creating dangerous travel conditions and causing temporary road closures in mountainous terrain.

Authorities put on alert

The NDMA said advance alerts have been issued to relevant federal, provincial and local authorities, directing them to stay prepared for any emergency situation linked to the weather.

It added that the NEOC is continuously monitoring weather patterns, flood threats, glacial lake outburst floods and landslide risks across the country.

The authority advised tourists and other travellers heading to northern and mountainous regions to check weather forecasts and road conditions before departure and to follow instructions issued by local administrations. It also urged citizens to use the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application for real-time alerts, weather advisories and emergency updates.