NDMA issues nationwide flood alert as heavy monsoon rains threaten flash floods, landslides

• Provinces, districts directed to stay on high alert from July 21-24 amid forecast of widespread heavy rainfall

• Flash floods, rising river flows and urban flooding feared across GB, AJK, KP, Punjab and northeastern Balochistan

• Urges public to avoid flood-prone and mountainous areas and follow official safety advisories, issuing warning for Chitral and mountainous areas of GB through July 23

 ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday issued a nationwide alert warning of flash floods, urban flooding, landslides and rising river flows across several parts of Pakistan from July 21 to 24, directing provincial and district administrations to remain on high alert, deploy emergency response teams and implement precautionary measures in vulnerable areas as heavy monsoon rains are forecast to affect large parts of the country.

In its latest advisory, the NDMA warned that heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods in rivers, local streams and mountain waterways across Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab and northeastern Balochistan, while urging authorities to closely monitor the evolving weather situation and ensure emergency preparedness.

According to the authority, Hunza, Shigar and Ghanche districts in Gilgit-Baltistan face the risk of flash floods in the Shimshal, Hunza, Chapursan, Kilik, Shigar, Shyok and Hushe rivers.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, water levels are expected to rise dangerously in the Jhelum, Neelum, Poonch and Mahl rivers, as well as in Betar and Bhimber nullahs, Kanshi River and tributaries of the Jhelum and Poonch rivers.

The NDMA said flash floods may also occur in the Chitral, Kabul, Swat and Panjkora rivers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 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 districts are also vulnerable to flooding.

In Punjab, hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan, the Soan River and the Potohar region may experience high water flows, while flooding is also expected in rivers and seasonal streams across northeastern Balochistan.

The authority further forecast high-level flooding at Marala on the Chenab River and in the upper reaches of Mangla on the Jhelum River. Water levels may also rise suddenly in the Dora, Dota, Dwara, Bhimber, Halsi, Aik, Plakho, Bein, Basantar, Dek and Sukhi nullahs.

The NDMA also warned that additional water releases from India's Thein, Pong and Bhakra dams could further increase water flows in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers.

Urban flooding is feared in low-lying areas of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Khushab, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Chakwal and Attock, where heavy rainfall could overwhelm drainage systems.

The NDMA has directed district administrations to maintain continuous monitoring of rivers and streams, pre-position rescue teams and implement preventive measures in flood-prone and sensitive areas to ensure a timely emergency response.

The authority also urged the public to avoid crossing rivers, streams and flood channels during periods of strong water flow and to strictly follow official safety advisories.

Separately, the NDMA issued a landslide alert for Chitral and several mountainous areas of Gilgit-Baltistan from July 21 to 23, warning that persistent rainfall could trigger landslides, falling rocks and debris flows.

The alert 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, where landslides and debris flows may disrupt traffic.

The NDMA advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable and mountainous areas during the forecast period and urged motorists to remain cautious while travelling through landslide-prone routes.

The authority has also directed all relevant departments to ensure continuous monitoring of sensitive locations, maintain emergency response readiness and make immediate arrangements for the restoration of roads in the event of blockages.

 The NDMA further urged citizens to stay updated through its official mobile application, Pak NDMA Disaster Alert, while directing all provincial and district institutions to remain vigilant and fully prepared to respond to the evolving monsoon weather situation.