Heavy rains kill 12 in KP as NDMA issues flood and landslide alerts

ISLAMABAD: Heavy rain and flood-related incidents have left at least 12 people dead and 18 others injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past 48 hours, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), which also reported damage to homes in several parts of the province.

The PDMA said 18 houses were affected by the recent weather events. Of these, 15 sustained partial damage while three were completely destroyed. It said losses were recorded in Peshawar, Nowshera, Khyber, Mardan and Buner, while incidents were also reported in Bajaur, Chitral, Lower Dir, Hazara Division, Kurram and North Waziristan.

According to the authority, district administrations in the affected areas have been instructed to ensure immediate provision of relief goods to people impacted by the rain-related emergencies.

Nationwide alert for floods and urban inundation

Separately, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a countrywide alert warning of flash floods, urban flooding, landslides and rising river flows from July 21 to 24 as heavy monsoon rainfall is forecast in multiple regions.

The NDMA directed provincial and district administrations to remain on alert, mobilise emergency response teams and take precautionary steps in vulnerable locations. It warned that rivers, local streams and mountain waterways in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and northeastern Balochistan may experience flash flooding.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, the authority said Hunza, Shigar and Ghanche districts face flood risk in the Shimshal, Hunza, Chapursan, Kilik, Shigar, Shyok and Hushe rivers. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, it said water levels could rise to dangerous levels in the Jhelum, Neelum, Poonch and Mahl rivers, as well as Betar and Bhimber nullahs, the Kanshi River and tributaries of the Jhelum and Poonch rivers.

For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the NDMA said flash floods may develop in the Chitral, Kabul, Swat and Panjkora rivers. It added that local streams in Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Kohat, Bannu, Karak, Hangu, Lakki Marwat, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Mansehra, Buner and Swabi were also exposed to flooding risk.

In Punjab, the authority warned of high flows in hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan, the Soan River and the Potohar region. It also said flooding is expected in rivers and seasonal waterways in northeastern Balochistan.

The NDMA said high-level flooding is forecast at Marala on the Chenab River and in the upper reaches of Mangla on the Jhelum River. It added that water levels could also rise suddenly in the Dora, Dota, Dwara, Bhimber, Halsi, Aik, Plakho, Bein, Basantar, Dek and Sukhi nullahs. It further warned that additional water releases from India’s Thein, Pong and Bhakra dams could increase flows in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers.

Urban flooding is feared in low-lying parts of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Khushab, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Chakwal and Attock, according to the NDMA, which has asked district administrations to keep continuous watch on rivers and streams, position rescue teams in advance and enforce precautionary measures in sensitive areas.

Landslide warning for mountainous areas

The NDMA has also issued a landslide alert for Chitral and several mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan from July 21 to 23. It said the warning covers Zangram to Ayun, Bamburet, Drosh to Lowi, Hindur to Barkulti, Qarghalti, Upper Yasin, Badswat to Bellahans, Puriyan Sar, Shamsabad, Ultar to Shispar, Karimabad to Altit, Hopper Nagar, Rama to Astore, Tarishing to Rupal and the Jaglot Skardu Road between RD 20 and RD 80.

According to the authority, landslides, falling rocks and debris flows could disrupt traffic in these areas. It has advised the public to avoid non-essential travel to vulnerable and mountainous locations during the forecast period, and directed relevant authorities to keep sensitive points under constant monitoring, maintain emergency readiness and arrange immediate road clearance in case of blockages.