The National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) has issued a landslide warning for northern Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) spanning June 2 to 6. The alert highlights that ongoing rainfall combined with accelerated glacier melt could result in road blockages, travel interruptions, and localized flooding in vulnerable mountainous areas.
The advisory specifies that persistent rains and increased glacier melting between June 2 and 5 will elevate landslide risks in multiple districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These include Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Haripur. Key transportation routes such as the Lowari Tunnel, Chitral-Dir Road, Swat Valley roads, the Karakoram Highway, and the Naran-Kaghan Road have been identified as particularly prone to landslides during this period.
Meanwhile, the threat of landslides is expected to continue in Azad Jammu and Kashmir from June 2 to 6, especially impacting connectivity along the Shahi, Sharda, Athmuqam, and Arang Kel routes. The NEOC also warned that heavy rainfall in upper catchment areas could cause sudden surges in streams and nullahs, leading to hazardous travel conditions and temporary road closures in these mountainous regions.
In a significant development, the NDMA has issued advance alerts to all relevant federal, provincial, and local authorities, instructing them to remain vigilant and prepared for any emergencies arising from these weather conditions. The NEOC is maintaining continuous monitoring of weather patterns, flood threats, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and landslide risks nationwide.
Tourists and travelers planning to visit northern and mountainous areas have been advised to review weather forecasts and road conditions prior to their journeys and to strictly adhere to guidance issued by local authorities. Additionally, the NDMA encourages the public to stay updated through the “Pak NDMA Disaster Alert” mobile application, which provides real-time alerts, weather advisories, and emergency information.
