Heavy Rain Alert Issued for Islamabad, KP, Punjab
News Desk
Islamabad: Pakistan is facing a heightened weather risk as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide alert for flash floods, urban flooding and landslides amid forecasts of heavy rainfall from July 18 to 23.
The warning covers several vulnerable regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Islamabad and parts of northeastern Balochistan, where authorities have been directed to remain prepared for possible emergencies.
According to the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), the current weather pattern matches earlier forecasts, with monitoring systems activated to track potential hazards and coordinate with provincial disaster management authorities.
Mountainous areas face the highest risk, with heavy rains expected to trigger flash floods in streams, seasonal waterways and river systems. Gilgit-Baltistan may experience medium to high-level flooding, while upper and central districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain vulnerable to sudden surges in hill torrents and local streams.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, officials have warned of possible landslides between July 19 and 24, particularly in Neelum, Haveli, Poonch, Muzaffarabad and Bagh districts. Authorities cautioned that falling debris could disrupt traffic on key routes, while water levels may rise in the Neelum, Jhelum and Poonch rivers.
Punjab and northeastern Balochistan are also under flood watch, with concerns over high flows in seasonal waterways and hill torrents. Districts including Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Murree and parts of Balochistan such as Zhob, Sherani and Sibi have been identified as vulnerable.
Major urban centres, including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sialkot, have been placed under urban flood alerts due to the possibility of heavy rainfall overwhelming drainage systems.
The NDMA has instructed emergency departments to keep rescue teams and machinery ready, while advising citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers and flooded areas, and exercise caution in landslide-prone zones.
Tourists travelling to northern areas have been urged to remain vigilant, as authorities warn that intense rainfall could quickly change conditions on mountain roads and waterways.
