Monsoon rains and rising temperatures heighten threat of GLOFs, landslides, and urban flooding in multiple regions
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide weather advisory, warning of increased risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), flash floods, landslides, and urban flooding across several parts of Pakistan between July 1 and July 4, 2026.
The alert, released by the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), urges provincial authorities, local administrations, and the public to remain vigilant and adopt precautionary measures as a combination of monsoon rains and rising temperatures is expected to intensify weather-related hazards.
According to the NDMA, rapid glacier melting in the northern regions, coupled with forecast rainfall, could trigger glacial lake outburst floods in vulnerable areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The authority noted that the situation may lead to flash floods, debris flows, mudslides, and landslides in mountainous terrain.
The disaster management body identified Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Kharmang, Astore, Diamer, Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, and Swat among the districts facing the highest flood risk.
It also cautioned that water flow in the Hesper-Hooper drainage system could rise significantly, increasing the likelihood of local flooding, riverbank erosion, and infrastructure damage.
The NDMA further stated that the combined influence of an active monsoon system and westerly weather pattern is expected to increase water levels in mountain streams, rivers, and seasonal drains across the country.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts including Charsadda, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Kohat, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Dir, Shangla, Buner, Battagram, Torghar, and Kohistan are likely to experience surging water flows and localized flooding.
Similarly, low-lying areas and rain-fed drains in Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Khushab, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, and Mandi Bahauddin, could witness urban flooding during heavy rainfall.
The advisory also highlights the possibility of flash floods in Zhob, Sherani, Musakhel, Barkhan, Sibi, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, and Loralai in Balochistan, while heavy rainfall is expected to continue affecting mountainous areas of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The NDMA warned that intense rainfall may inundate low-lying urban neighborhoods, disrupt traffic, and damage roads, bridges, irrigation networks, and other public infrastructure. Citizens, especially those living near rivers, streams, and glacier-fed valleys, have been advised to closely monitor official weather updates and avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas.
