Heavy rainfall combined with a cloudburst has escalated concerns of flooding across northern Pakistan, prompting authorities to issue warnings for potential floods in rivers, streams, and urban centers from July 19 to 23.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has highlighted the likelihood of intense precipitation in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, and upper Punjab during July 20 to 23. This raises the risk of floods and flash floods in vulnerable regions.
Flood surges are anticipated in the Chenab River near Marala and the upper stretches of the Jhelum River close to Mangla. Additionally, elevated water levels are expected in the Kabul River and its tributaries, with Nowshera remaining on high alert due to potential flooding.
Other rivers such as Kabul, Panjkora, Swat, and Chitral may also experience increased flows. Districts including Malakand, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, and Haripur are at risk of heavy rainfall and flooding events.
Urban flooding is forecasted in major cities like Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Sheikhupura. Authorities have also warned of possible flash floods in hill torrents and streams across Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Mansehra, Mardan, and Dera Ismail Khan.
The NDMA has instructed relevant departments to maintain vigilance, ensuring emergency equipment and rescue teams are ready for deployment. Citizens are advised to limit unnecessary travel, avoid storm drains and flooded roads, while travelers and tourists are urged to steer clear of mountainous and landslide-prone routes.
In a significant development, a cloudburst over the Katha Peeran stream in Neelum Valley triggered severe flooding. Rescue officials reported that several houses and shops near the stream were swept away, raising concerns over extensive damage. Rescue teams have been dispatched, and relief efforts are ongoing, with no casualties reported to date.
The flooding also caused disruptions to traffic on Shahrah-e-Neelum near Shah Kot, further complicating the situation for residents and travelers in the area.
