Heavy rains, flood risks loom as NDMA issues countrywide weather warning

• NEOC alert says strong winds, dust storms and thunderstorms forecast across large swathes of country

• Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Potohar region face risk of urban flooding

• NDMA warns of heightened GLOF threat in northern mountainous areas

• Rapid glacier melt raises flash flood concerns in Gilgit-Baltistan and KP

 ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued a nationwide weather alert, warning that strong winds, dust storms, thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, urban flooding and glacier-related flood risks could affect several parts of the country over the next 12 to 24 hours, with vulnerable mountainous regions facing an elevated threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

The alert, issued by the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), said the prevailing weather pattern was in line with the seasonal forecast released three to four months ago.

The authority said advance warnings had already been shared with all relevant federal, provincial and district-level institutions to ensure preparedness and enable a timely response to any emergency situation.

According to the advisory, widespread rainfall accompanied by strong winds, dust storms and thunderstorms is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and several districts of Punjab, including Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Gujrat, Jhelum, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Khushab, Jhang, Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

The NDMA also warned of possible urban flooding in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other parts of the Potohar region due to heavy downpours.

In Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, rain and thunderstorms are forecast in Gilgit, Skardu, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Hunza, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Kotli, Poonch, Hattian, Mirpur and Bhimber.

Separately, the authority cautioned against a heightened risk of GLOFs and flash floods in northern regions as rapidly melting glaciers and rising temperatures continue to increase pressure on glacier-fed water systems. Areas identified as particularly vulnerable include Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Astore and Diamer in Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as Upper and Lower Chitral, Swat, Kalam, Bahrain and Arkari in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The NDMA said Upper Dir, Swat, Kohistan and Mansehra also remain highly susceptible to flash flooding, while Gilgit, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu, Ghanche, Darel and Tangir could face flood-related impacts. In Azad Kashmir, localized flooding may occur in Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Bagh and Haveli.

The advisory warned that sudden flooding, landslides and debris flows could occur in mountainous areas, while glacier-fed rivers and streams may witness a sharp rise in water discharge, posing risks to nearby communities and infrastructure.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, thunderstorms and rainfall are expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar, Kohat, Parachinar, Karak, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan.

Similar weather conditions are forecast for Turbat, Kech, Awaran, Khuzdar and Zhob in Balochistan.