NDMA asks tourists and non-essential travelers not to travel to northern Pakistan until July 14
The National Weather Forecast Center of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday forecast rain, windstorms and thunderstorms in the north of the country over the weekend.
The department said westerly waves and moist currents from the Arabian Sea are expected to enter the upper parts of the country, gaining strength on Saturday evening.
PMD has predicted rain, windstorm or thunderstorm in Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar areas of Gilgit-Baltistan from July 11 (evening) to 13 July with occasional interruptions.
For Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the department forecasts a similar weather outlook.
It predicted rain, windstorm, thunderstorm with isolated heavy falls in Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Hangu on July 11 and 12.
The Met department has also warned of rain, windstorm as well as thunderstorm with isolated heavy falls in several parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir namely Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Neelum Valley, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur from July 10 (night) to 13th with occasional interruptions.
The department advised local authorities to remain vigilant during the current weather forecast.
He said windstorms and lightning could damage fragile structures such as solar panels, utility poles and billboards.
“Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on July 11 and 12,” the warning said, adding that water flow may increase in local streams and nullahs of the above-mentioned regions during the forecast period.
Separately, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned tourists and non-essential travelers to avoid northern areas from July 10 to 14 following glacial flash floods and landslides posing an immediate high-level threat.
Its National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) said landslide alerts covered July 11-13, while flood and river flood warnings applied across GB, KP and AJK until July 14.
Authorities have been tasked with carrying out rapid risk assessments and relaying real-time alerts to local administrations.
Authorities have warned that rising temperatures and persistent heavy rain could trigger glacial lake floods, hill torrents, debris flows, river flash floods and rockfalls in vulnerable glacial valleys.
The NDMA has demarcated several high-risk areas, including Badswat, Ashkoman, Hinarchi, Yasin Valley, Khaplu, Hisper Glacier, Hopper Glacier and surrounding areas.
The authority also highlighted vulnerable roads, including Jaglot-Skardu, Hunza-Gojal and Gilgit-Ghizer, in its warning. Additionally, it added Naltar Valley, Bagrot Valley and Hermosh to the list of high-risk routes.
The NEOC asked citizens to take immediate precautions, such as staying away from glacial lakes, river channels and known flood routes and avoiding traveling on landslide-prone roads.
The advisory also ordered travelers to follow instructions issued by local authorities.
Authorities warned that riverbank erosion and sudden debris flows could quickly worsen the situation and asked district administrations to mobilize emergency response teams and issue alerts on the ground.
For official updates and safety advice, the public and visitors have been advised to use the Pakistan NDMA Disaster Alert app.
