ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide alert warning of potential floods, flash floods, and landslides in several parts of Pakistan until July 24 due to ongoing monsoon rains.
According to an NDMA spokesperson, there is a risk of flash floods and a sharp rise in water levels in rivers, local streams, and mountain torrents. In Gilgit-Baltistan, districts including Hunza, Shigar, and Ghanche are at 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 significantly in the Jhelum, Neelum, Poonch, and Mahl rivers, as well as in Betar Nala, Bhimber Nala, the Kanshi River, and tributaries of the Jhelum and Poonch rivers.
The authority also warned of flash flooding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the Chitral, Kabul, Swat, and Panjkora rivers, as well as Muqam Nala and Kalpani Nala. Local streams in Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Kohat, Bannu, Karak, Hangu, Lakki Marwat, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Mansehra, Buner, and Swabi are also at risk.
In Punjab, hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan, the Soan River, and the Potohar region could experience flooding. Similar conditions are expected in seasonal streams and rivers across northeastern Balochistan.
The NDMA warned of high-level flooding in the Chenab River at Marala and the upper reaches of the Jhelum River near Mangla. Water levels are also expected to rise suddenly in the Dora, Dota, Dwara, Bhimber, Halsey, Aik, Palkhu, Bein, Basantar, Deg, and Sukhi streams. Additional water releases from India's Thein, Pong, and Bhakra dams could further increase flows in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers.
Urban flooding is also likely in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Khushab, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Chakwal, and Attock.
The NDMA has directed district administrations to closely monitor rivers and streams, pre-position emergency response teams, and implement precautionary measures in vulnerable areas. It also urged the public to avoid crossing rivers, streams, and flood channels during periods of high water flow.
Separately, the authority issued a landslide, rockfall, and debris flow alert for July 21 to 23 in mountainous areas of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan. Vulnerable routes include Zangram–Ayon, Bumburet, Drosh–Lawi, Hindur–Barkulti, Qarghalti, Upper Yasin, Badswat–Ballahans, Puriyan Sar, Shamsabad, Ultar–Shisper, Karimabad–Altit, Hopper Nagar, Rama–Astore, Trishing–Rupal, and the Jaglot–Skardu Road between RD-20 and RD-80.
The public has been advised to avoid unnecessary travel to mountainous and high-risk areas. The NDMA has also instructed all relevant agencies to maintain continuous monitoring, keep emergency teams on standby, ensure the swift reopening of blocked roads, and remain on high alert to respond to any weather-related emergencies. People have also been encouraged to stay updated through the official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application.