NDMA Warns of Floods and Landslides Across Northern Pakistan
Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority has issued a fresh warning over the risk of glacial lake outburst floods, flash flooding and landslides across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir as monsoon rainfall combines with rising temperatures in northern areas. The alert was issued through the National Emergencies Operations Centre, which has directed authorities to closely monitor vulnerable glaciers, lakes, rivers and streams.
The NDMA identified several areas in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir as particularly exposed to rapidly changing conditions. These include Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Shigar, Gilgit, Rondu, Diamer, Astore, Skardu, Ghanche, Kharmang and Neelum Valley. Officials warned that higher temperatures are accelerating glacier melt, increasing pressure on glacial lakes and raising the possibility of sudden outburst flooding in mountainous communities.
Authorities are also monitoring the threat of flash floods and landslides in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra and Buner are among the areas identified as vulnerable. The warning is especially significant for settlements, roads and travellers in narrow valleys and mountainous corridors, where rapidly rising water or unstable slopes can disrupt movement with little notice.
The emergency centre has separately forecast heavy to torrential rain and thunderstorms from September 2 to September 5 across the Potohar region and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Murree and Galiyat are among the areas expected to receive heavy rainfall. Similar conditions have been forecast for Dir, Swat, Buner, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan and Peshawar.
NDMA officials warned that intense rainfall can trigger urban flash flooding as well as flooding and landslides in mountainous districts. Citizens have been advised to stay away from low-lying locations, streams, drains and riverbanks and to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather. People have also been told not to attempt to cross floodwater, fast-flowing streams, submerged roads or bridges either on foot or in vehicles.
Local administrations have been instructed to position necessary resources in vulnerable areas, prepare safe evacuation arrangements and take preventive measures before conditions deteriorate. The NDMA has also urged residents and travellers to follow official weather warnings and instructions from district administrations. Public updates are being made available through official disaster-management channels, including the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert application.
The warning places a broad stretch of northern Pakistan and the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region on heightened alert during the latest monsoon spell. Emergency agencies are expected to continue monitoring rainfall, glacier melt, river flows and vulnerable slopes through the forecast period, while district authorities remain responsible for responding quickly if flooding, landslides or evacuation requirements develop.