Cautions that rapidly melting glaciers, possible glacial lake outburst floods could cause heavy water flows
ISLAMABAD:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday issued an alert warning of heavy rainfall, strong winds and potential flood-like conditions across the northern and upper parts of the country from June 16 to 20.
According to the advisory, a westerly weather system is expected to affect the region during this period, bringing thunderstorms, gusty winds and scattered rainfall, with hail possible at some locations.
In Punjab, thunderstorms and rain are likely in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Gujar Khan, Gujrat, Jhelum, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Jhang, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.
In Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), rain and thunderstorms are expected in Skardu, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Hunza, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Kotli, Poonch, Hattian, Mirpur and Bhimber.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is also likely to receive widespread rain with thunderstorms in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar, Kohat, Parachinar, Karak, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and North Waziristan.
In Balochistan, similar weather conditions are expected in Quetta, Zhob, Sherani, Ziarat, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Kohlu, Harnai, Sibi, Barkhan and Khuzdar.
Read: Strong winds to lash Karachi till Tuesday
In Sindh, scattered rain and thunderstorms are expected in Jacobabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Dadu, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Shaheed Benazirabad and Nawabshah.
The NDMA warned that between June 16 and 19, rainfall combined with rising temperatures may trigger flood-like situations in parts of K-P, AJK and G-B.
It further cautioned that rapidly melting glaciers and possible glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) could cause heavy water flows in streams and rivers originating from mountainous regions.
Areas at risk of GLOF include Hassanabad, Shishper, Gulkin, Gulmit, Passu, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu and Shigar, the advisory said.
The authority also warned of possible landslides and closure of link roads in hilly areas due to rainfall and unstable conditions.
NDMA has directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert in sensitive mountainous and highway regions. Tourists and travellers have been advised to check weather and road conditions before travelling to northern areas.
