Adverse weather likely to affect Punjab, KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir over the next 24 hours
Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday warned of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms and landslides in several northern and central regions of the country, urging authorities and travellers to remain vigilant amid the risk of flash flooding and road disruptions.
The NDMA said unstable weather conditions are expected to persist over the next 12 to 24 hours, affecting parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the advisory, Islamabad and several districts of Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Jhelum, Gujar Khan and Sialkot, are likely to experience rain accompanied by thunderstorms.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rainfall and thunderstorm activity is forecast in Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Malakand, Battagram, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan.
The weather system is also expected to impact Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Diamer, Ghanche, Astore, Shigar, Kharmang, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Kotli, Poonch and Bhimber.
The NDMA warned that hailstorms could accompany rainfall in some areas, potentially damaging crops, power infrastructure and vulnerable structures.
Authorities also cautioned that rising temperatures combined with ongoing weather activity may trigger glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides and increased water flows in streams and nullahs across mountainous regions.
Areas including Hunza, Nagar, Gilgit, Chilas, Astore, Shigar, Chitral, Kalam, Upper Kohistan and parts of Azad Kashmir face an elevated risk of landslides, according to the advisory.
The authority said several key transport routes could be affected by falling debris and landslides, including sections of the Karakoram Highway, Naran Road and Jaglot-Skardu Road. Roads linking Shimshal Valley, Attabad Lake, Karimabad, Gulmit, Shishkat Bala and Passu were also identified as vulnerable.
Tourist destinations such as Kalam, Kundol, Arang Kel, Dasu, Patan and Chitral Valley may experience travel disruptions during the forecast period.
The NDMA directed federal, provincial and district administrations to remain on alert and ensure emergency preparedness measures are in place. Travellers and tourists were advised to check weather forecasts and road conditions before undertaking journeys to northern areas.
Citizens have been encouraged to stay updated through the official NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application and follow instructions issued by local authorities and emergency response agencies.
