NDMA Issues Flood, Landslide Alert Across Pakistan Until July 24

ISLAMABAD: (Special Reporter) – The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide alert warning of possible floods, flash floods, and landslides in various parts of the country until July 24, urging provincial and district authorities to remain on high alert and take precautionary measures.

According to the NDMA, heavy rainfall may trigger flash floods in rivers, local streams, and hill torrents, with a significant rise in water levels expected in several regions.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, flash flood risks have been highlighted for the Shimshal, Hunza, Chapursan, Kilik, Shigar, Shyok, and Hushe rivers in the districts of Hunza, Shigar, and Ghanche.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, water levels are expected to rise dangerously in the Jhelum, Neelum, Poonch, and Mahl rivers, as well as Betar Nullah, Bhimber Nullah, Kanshi River, and tributary streams of the Jhelum and Poonch rivers.

The NDMA also warned of flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the Chitral, Kabul, Swat, and Panjkora rivers, along with Muqam and Kalpani nullahs and local streams in Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Kohat, Bannu, Karak, Hangu, Lakki Marwat, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Mansehra, Buner, and Swabi.

In Punjab, hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan, the Swan River, the Pothohar region, and seasonal streams in northeastern Balochistan are also likely to experience flooding.

The authority forecast high-level flooding in the Chenab River at Marala and the upper reaches of the Jhelum River near Mangla, while sudden increases in water flow are expected in the Dora, Dota, Dwara, Bhimber, Halsey, Aik, Palkhu, Bain, Basantar, Deg, and Sukhi nullahs.

The NDMA further cautioned that water flows in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers could increase if India releases water from the Thein, Pong, and Bhakra dams.

Urban flooding is also feared in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Khushab, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Chakwal, and Attock.

The disaster management authority has directed district administrations to continuously monitor rivers and streams, pre-deploy rescue teams, and ensure preventive measures in vulnerable areas.

The NDMA advised the public to avoid crossing rivers, streams, and flood channels during periods of high water flow and to follow official safety instructions.

Separately, the authority has also issued a landslide alert for July 21–23 in the mountainous areas of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, warning of landslides, falling rocks, and debris flows on several key roads, including Zangram–Ayon, Bamburet, Drosh–Lawi, Hindur–Barkulti, Qarghulti, Upper Yasin, Badswat–Balahans, Puriyan Sar, Shamsabad, Ultar–Shisper, Karimabad–Altit, Hopper Nagar, Rama–Astore, Trishing–Rupal, and the Jaglot–Skardu Road (RD 20–80).

People have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable mountainous areas, while relevant authorities have been instructed to maintain continuous monitoring, keep emergency response teams ready, and ensure the swift restoration of any roads affected by landslides.

The NDMA has also advised citizens to stay updated through its official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application and directed all provincial and district institutions to remain prepared for the expected weather conditions.