NDMA issues flash flood, landslide alert amid heavy rain forecast
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an alert for flash floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and landslides amid predictions of heavy rains in parts of Pakistan during the next 12 to 14 hours. Widespread rain coupled with strong winds and thunder is expected in Islamabad and multiple districts of Punjab. Areas likely to be affected include Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Jhelum, Gujar Khan, Hafizabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Khushab, Jhang, Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, authorities have predicted thunderstorms and rainfall in Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Malakand, Batagram, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu, and Dera Ismail Khan. Similar weather activity is expected in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, including Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Diamer, Ghanche, Astore, Shigar, Kharmang, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Kotli, Poonch, and Bhimber. The NDMA warned that hailstorms in some areas could damage fragile structures, exposed installations, and standing crops, while strong winds may disrupt electricity supply and affect infrastructure. The authority also cautioned that rising temperatures, combined with rainfall in northern mountainous areas, could trigger GLOFs, raise river and stream water levels, and increase the likelihood of landslides. Flooding and landslides may also lead to road blockages. Regions identified as highly vulnerable to landslides include Hunza, Nagar, Gilgit, Chilas, Astore, Shigar, Chitral, Kalam, Upper Kohistan, and mountainous areas of Azad Kashmir. The NDMA highlighted several key routes at risk, including the Karakoram Highway, Naran Road, Jaglot-Skardu Road, Shigar Valley Road, Skardu Road, and Deosai Road. Road connections linking Shimshal Valley, Attabad Lake, Karimabad, Gulmit, Shishkat Bala, a