ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority [NDMA] on Monday issued a comprehensive weather and flood hazard alert for different parts of the country till July 24, warning of flash floods, riverine flooding, urban inundation and landslides as the second strong monsoon spell strengthens.
Monsoon havoc kills 12 in KP as rivers swell in Punjab and Azad Kashmir
According to the advisory, the evolving weather system is likely to trigger multiple simultaneous hazards across Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and northeastern Balochistan, with the situation potentially aggravated by water releases from upstream dams in India.
GB, AJK rivers on high alert
In Gilgit-Baltistan, flash flooding has been predicted in rivers and streams in Hunza, Shigar and Ghanche districts, including Shimshal, Hunza, Chapursan, Shigar, Shyok and Hushe rivers.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, water levels in the Jhelum, Neelum and Poonch rivers, as well as in Mahal, Batar Nallah, Bhimber Nallah, Kanshi River and the tributaries of the Jhelum and Poonch, are likely to rise to dangerous levels, the NDMA said.
Threat persists across KP
For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Authority warned of possible flash floods in the Chitral, Kabul, Swat and Panjkora rivers, besides Maqam Nallah, Kalpani Nallah and local streams in Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Kohat, Bannu, Karak, Hangu, Lakki Marwat, North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Mansehra, Buner and Swabi.
Punjab, Balochistan vulnerable
In Punjab, flooding is feared in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, the Soan River and the Potohar region, while hill torrents and rivers in northeastern Balochistan may also swell.
The NDMA said high-level flooding was expected in the Chenab River at Marala and in the upper reaches of the Jhelum River above Mangla, while a sudden rise in water levels was also anticipated in Dora, Hudiara, Deg, Bhimber, Aik, Palkho, Bein, Basantar, Dek and Sukhi nullahs.
The Authority further cautioned that the release of water from India’s Thein, Pong and Bhakra dams could increase flows in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers, potentially worsening the flood situation in downstream Punjab.
There is also a risk of urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Khushab, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Chakwal and Attock, where drainage systems may come under severe stress due to heavy downpours, it added.
Advisory for administration, public
The NDMA has directed provincial and district administrations to continuously monitor rivers, nullahs and hill torrents, pre-position rescue teams and machinery, and ensure safety measures in sensitive and low-lying areas.
The public has been advised to avoid crossing rivers, streams and causeways during high flows, stay away from weak structures and electric poles, and avoid unnecessary travel.
In a separate alert valid from July 21 to 23, the NDMA warned of landslides, rockfalls and debris flows in various mountainous areas of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The advisory identified a high risk of road blockades and landslides on Zangram-Ayon, Bamburit, Drosh-Lavi, Hindur-Barkulti, Qarghalti, Bulai Yasin, Badswat-Bilhanis, Purian Sar, Shamsabad, Ultar-Shisper, Karimabad-Altit, Hopar Nagar, Rama-Astore, Trishang-Rupal and Jaglot-Skardu Road [RD 20 to 80].
The Authority urged citizens and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to sensitive and mountainous areas and to follow official advisories issued by the Met Office and local administrations.
