The National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) issued a comprehensive weather warning on Friday, forecasting thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and hailstorms across various regions of Pakistan over the next 12 to 24 hours. The alert also highlights the increased risk of flash floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods in northern mountainous areas due to rising temperatures.
In a significant development, the NDMA emphasized that the current weather conditions align closely with forecasts and seasonal assessments made by the NEOC several months ago. The authority had previously evaluated pre-monsoon preparedness during a national monsoon conference held under the prime minister’s directives.
The advisory predicts strong winds, rainstorms, and isolated hail in most parts of the country, including Islamabad, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Punjab is expected to experience thunderstorms and heavy rain in areas such as Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal, and Okara. Islamabad and its surrounding localities may also face heavy rainfall and hail at isolated spots.
In northern territories, rainfall and thunderstorms are anticipated in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, affecting Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche, Shigar, Kharmang, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli, Poonch, and Rawalakot. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will see similar weather in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Swabi, Kalam, Mingora, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Kohat, Charsadda, and Dera Ismail Khan, with some districts expecting isolated hailstorms.
Meanwhile, Sindh is forecasted to experience thunderstorms and hailstorms in Karachi, Hyderabad, Matli, Matiari, Tando Allahyar, Tando Mohammad Khan, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sujawal, and Jamshoro. In Balochistan, rain-bearing systems are likely to affect Quetta, Zhob, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Pishin, Chaman, Loralai, Khuzdar, Qalat, Mastung, Ziarat, Sibi, Barkhan, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Surab, Hub, Gwadar, and Kech.
The NDMA issued a serious warning about the potential acceleration of glacier melting in the northern regions due to rising temperatures, which could trigger glacial lake outburst floods, flash floods, and landslides in mountainous zones. Citizens are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, keep clear of glacial lakes and vulnerable slopes, and remain indoors during dust storms and severe weather events.
Additionally, the authority cautioned that strong winds and hailstorms in southern areas might cause damage to weak structures, solar panels, and vehicles. Provincial administrations and relevant departments have been instructed to stay vigilant and implement precautionary measures to manage any emergencies effectively.
The NDMA urged the public to adhere strictly to official weather updates and recommended using the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert platform for timely notifications and emergency guidance.
