Islamabad: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an alert warning of heavy rainfall in various parts of the country over the next 24 to 48 hours, with potential risks of flooding due to glacial outbursts and rapid snowmelt.
The NDMA has expressed concern over possible glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, and Kumrat Valley. The alert also highlights increased flood risk in Gilgit-Baltistan as a result of accelerated glacial melting.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasts overcast conditions and rainfall in Islamabad and surrounding areas during the next two days. In Punjab, partly cloudy weather is expected in most districts, with rain likely in Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Narowal.
In Sindh, the weather will remain partly cloudy across most districts, with chances of rain during the evening or night. Similar weather conditions are expected in Balochistan, where several districts may also experience rainfall.
Rain is also forecast in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Bajaur, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Haripur.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, cloudy skies with strong winds, thunder, and rain are expected, with some areas likely to receive heavy downpours. Gilgit-Baltistan will see hot weather with the possibility of rain accompanied by thunder at isolated locations.
Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and take precautionary measures in view of the potential flooding and weather-related hazards.
It is worth noting that over the past three days, heavy rainfall and flash floods have claimed dozens of lives across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. Several individuals remain missing after being swept away by the floodwaters, highlighting the urgent need for continued rescue and relief efforts in the affected regions.
