NDMA issues landslide alert for mountainous areas of KP
News Desk
Islamabad: Travellers heading towards the mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been advised to exercise caution as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a landslide alert covering several major tourist and transport routes.
The warning, issued through the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Center, will remain in effect from tomorrow until August 22, with authorities expecting landslides in several mountainous districts.
The alert covers Malakand, Dir, Shangla, Swat, Battagram, Alaai, Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra and Galiyat.
Roads at risk of closure
According to the NDMA, landslides could temporarily disrupt traffic or result in prolonged road closures, particularly on routes passing through vulnerable mountainous terrain.
The authority has identified N-45, S-4A, S-16, N-90 and N-95 as particularly sensitive routes.
Several other roads have also been placed on the landslide watchlist, including N-140, N-45 Drosh, Lowari, Chitral and Garam Chashma roads.
The Karakoram Highway and routes through N-15 Balakot, Kaghan, Naran and Abbottabad are also considered vulnerable.
Infrastructure damage feared
The NDMA warned that landslides could damage roads and other infrastructure, potentially disrupting transport and access to affected areas.
The risk is particularly significant along steep slopes and roads connecting remote mountainous communities, where even a temporary blockage can affect travel and movement of essential goods.
District administrations and relevant departments have been instructed to maintain continuous monitoring of vulnerable slopes and take precautionary measures where necessary.
Travellers urged to reconsider unnecessary trips
The authority has advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel to hilly areas during the alert period.
Those who must travel have been urged to remain cautious, monitor official weather and road updates and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
With several popular routes to tourist destinations included in the warning, travellers planning trips to Swat, Naran, Kaghan, Chitral, Galiyat and other mountainous areas may face delays or sudden road closures.
The NDMA has stressed that early monitoring and timely precautions will be crucial to reducing the risk to travellers, communities and infrastructure during the alert period.
