The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a warning on July 17 about potential flash floods and urban flooding in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other regions due to monsoon rains.
The NDMA’s Emergencies Operation Centre forecasted monsoon rains and thundershowers in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Islamabad, KP, and central and northeastern Punjab from July 17 to 21, with intermittent gaps, which may lead to flash floods and urban flooding.
Torrential rains in Balochistan
Meanwhile, heavy monsoon rains in northern Balochistan forced people to flee their homes due to flooding in seasonal streams and nullahs. Officials reported that the rain, which started on Tuesday night, continued throughout the day, impacting both urban and rural areas.
Torrential rains in Zhob and Sherani districts washed away a portion of the highway connecting Quetta with Islamabad near Dhanasar.
Sana Umrani, deputy commissioner of Sherani, reported that landslides at N-50 Danasar are common after rainfall in the Sulaiman Range. The National Highway Authority (NHA) has since restored the road link for light traffic.
Mehar Sahibzada Khan, Director General of the Met Office, stated that this rain spell would continue until July 21, affecting all four provinces, as well as the AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan regions. He urged the public to take precautionary measures to avoid incidents during this period.
Landslides warning
Khan emphasized that landslides could disrupt roads in the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galiyat, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. He advised tourists to avoid areas prone to landslides and urged citizens to keep children away from submerged areas, electrical wires, and poles.
Glacial lake outburst flood alert
Earlier, the NDMA issued a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) alert for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan due to rising temperatures and expected heavy rainfall from July 17 to 23. This could lead to increased water levels in local rivers and streams, landslides, and flash flooding.
In Punjab, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued an alert for heavy rain in various districts. The monsoon spell is expected to last until July 20, with rain and thunderstorms forecasted in areas including Murree, Galiyat, Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Sargodha, and several others.
The NDMA stressed the likelihood of strong winds and lightning strikes, advising all relevant departments to take necessary precautions. The public has been urged to avoid travel during bad weather and stay away from electrical poles and wires to ensure safety.