The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning about an increased risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), flash floods, landslides, and urban flooding across northern and central Pakistan from July 1 to 4. This advisory highlights the impact of rising temperatures combined with an active monsoon system and westerly waves, which are expected to bring heavy rainfall and accelerate glacier melting.
NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) emphasized the need for heightened vigilance among authorities and urged the public to strictly adhere to official safety guidelines. Continuous monitoring and early risk assessments are underway to facilitate timely warnings for all relevant agencies.
Specifically, areas adjacent to glaciers in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are facing a greater threat of GLOFs due to the rapid glacier melt caused by soaring temperatures and forecasted heavy rains. These conditions may trigger sudden flash floods, debris flows, landslides, and rockfalls, posing serious dangers to vulnerable mountain populations.
The NDMA advised residents and local officials in regions including Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Kharmang, Astore, Diamer, Upper and Lower Chitral, Swat, and other glacier-fed valleys to exercise extreme caution. It also warned that increased water flow in the Hispar-Hopper Nullah could elevate risks of flash floods, debris flows, and riverbank erosion in adjacent areas.
Meanwhile, the NEOC issued a flash flood alert covering July 1 to 4, cautioning that the combined effects of the monsoon and westerly waves may cause sudden rises in water levels in hill torrents and seasonal streams across multiple regions. Flash flooding is anticipated in parts of KP, Punjab, Balochistan, AJK, and GB during this period.
In KP, heightened water flows are expected in hill torrents and streams across districts such as Charsadda, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Kohat, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swat, Upper and Lower Dir, Chitral, Shangla, Buner, Battagram, Torghar, and Kohistan. Seasonal streams in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Khushab, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, and Mandi Bahauddin are also likely to experience flooding.
Localized flash floods are expected in Balochistan’s Zhob, Sherani, Musa Khel, Barkhan, Sibi, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Loralai, and surrounding areas. The NDMA further warned that heavy rainfall could cause streams to overflow and lead to localized flooding in the mountainous regions of AJK and GB.
Urban flooding is anticipated in low-lying parts of major cities, where heavy rain may disrupt traffic and inundate roads and residential neighborhoods. Flooding and landslides could damage roads, bridges, irrigation facilities, and other public infrastructure.
In response, the NDMA has directed all concerned departments to implement precautionary measures, ensure proper drainage, maintain emergency response readiness, and continuously monitor river flows and glacial lakes. Residents living in low-lying and riverbank areas have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay alert throughout the forecast period.
