ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday issued a detailed weather outlook till May 17, warning of widespread rain, thunderstorms, hailstorms, flash floods and landslides in several parts of the country, while directing provincial and district authorities to remain on high alert and ensure emergency preparedness measures.
According to the NDMA, the current weather conditions are consistent with the seasonal forecast issued by the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) three to four months earlier for the April-June period, adding that advance alerts had already indicated the possibility of severe weather activity during the ongoing season.
The NEOC said rain accompanied by thunderstorms was expected during the next 12 to 24 hours in parts of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
In Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, rainfall and thunderstorm activity is expected in Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche, Shigar, Kharmang, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Rawalakot, Kotli, Mirpur and Bhimber.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain has been forecast for Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan.
The weather system is also likely to affect Islamabad and several districts of Punjab, including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Jhang, Okara, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar, where strong winds, thunderstorms and hailstorms are expected.
In Sindh, heavy winds and rain accompanied by thunder are likely in Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta, Jamshoro and Mirpurkhas.
The NEOC further warned that upper regions of the country could face flash floods between May 12 and 16, particularly in mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, where rising water levels in streams and seasonal nullahs may trigger localised flooding.
According to the advisory, sudden flooding may occur in the River Chitral and its tributaries, including Birir Gol, Acholga Gol and Mirkhani streams.
An increase in water flow is also expected in streams and rivers passing through Swat, Dir, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Battagram, Torghar, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Malakand.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, localised flooding may affect Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Darel, Tangir, Diamer and Skardu, while tributaries linked to the Gilgit, Shigar, Shyok and Astore rivers may witness increased water flow.
The NDMA also warned of heightened risks of flash floods and landslides in Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley and Bagh in Azad Kashmir.
Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather conditions and stay away from weak structures, electricity poles, rivers, streams and unstable slopes. Tourists have specifically been urged not to camp near rivers, nullahs and landslide-prone areas.
The authority directed district administrations to keep rescue teams and dewatering machinery ready, while residents of low-lying areas were advised to remain prepared for possible emergency evacuation.
The NDMA urged the public to follow instructions issued by local authorities and stay updated through the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert App for timely weather information and emergency alerts.