ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a landslide alert for sensitive mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from August 19 to 22.
According to the NDMA, mountainous areas of Malakand, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Shangla, Swat, Battagram, Allai, Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper and Lower Kohistan, Kolai Palas, Mansehra and Galiyat have been identified as vulnerable to landslides.
The alert warned that landslides, falling rocks and debris flows could temporarily or for extended periods disrupt traffic on vulnerable mountain roads, with some routes potentially becoming blocked.
The NDMA has specifically identified several roads as vulnerable, including N-45 Batkhela, Chakdara, Dir, Matkani Road, S-4A, S-16 in the Dir valleys, N-90, N-95 Chakdara, Mingora, Madian, Bahrain and Kalam, as well as roads in Allai, Pokal and Gangwal.
Landslide risks have also been identified along the N-140 and Chitral-Booni-Mastuj corridor, N-45 Drosh-Lowari-Chitral and Chitral-Garam Chashma Road.
On the Karakoram Highway, areas around Dasu, Komila, Seo, Patan, Dubair and Jijal, as well as access roads to Palas and Kolai, have also been declared vulnerable.
The N-15 Balakot-Kaghan-Naran route and roads connecting Abbottabad, Galiyat and Thandiani have likewise been identified as areas of concern.
The NDMA warned that landslides and falling rocks could damage roads, bridges, retaining walls and other infrastructure, disrupt traffic and cut off land access to remote areas.
Sudden landslides and debris flows could also pose a direct threat to travellers, drivers and local residents, particularly those living near mountain slopes.
The NEOC has directed district administrations and relevant departments to continuously monitor vulnerable mountain slopes, keep emergency response teams prepared and ensure immediate action in case of landslides.
Authorities have also been instructed to ensure the advance availability of machinery, rescue resources and alternative arrangements to deal with blockages on vulnerable roads.
The NDMA advised the public and travellers to avoid unnecessary journeys through landslide-prone mountainous areas and to check the latest weather and road conditions before travelling.
Travellers were further advised to maintain a safe distance from affected areas in case of landslides, falling rocks or debris flows and follow instructions issued by local administrations and rescue agencies.
The NDMA also urged citizens to use its official “Pak NDMA Disaster Alert” app for timely information about weather conditions and potential natural hazards.