ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP):Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday warned of widespread urban flooding, flash floods and hill torrents across large parts of the country as persistent monsoon rains continue to batter northern, central and southern regions. The alert, issued by the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), urged provincial authorities to complete evacuation preparations in vulnerable areas, pre position emergency resources and advise the public to avoid unnecessary …
Cities at high flood risk as monsoon spell persists: NDMA
ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP):Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday warned of widespread urban flooding, flash floods and hill torrents across large parts of the country as persistent monsoon rains continue to batter northern, central and southern regions.
The alert, issued by the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), urged provincial authorities to complete evacuation preparations in vulnerable areas, pre position emergency resources and advise the public to avoid unnecessary travel and flood-prone locations.
According to the NDMA, urban flooding is likely in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore and Faisalabad in Punjab, as well as Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda and Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Similar flooding is also expected in Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Tharparkar districts of Sindh.
The authority warned of flash floods in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and northeastern Balochistan, with hill torrents expected in Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, streams and seasonal waterways in Chitral, Swat, Upper and Lower Dir, Malakand, Bajaur, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Mardan, Swabi, Karak, Hangu, Khyber, Kurram, North Waziristan, Shangla and Peshawar could experience sudden surges.
In Balochistan, the NDMA cautioned that Zhob, Barkhan, Ziarat, Musakhel and Dukki districts, particularly areas along the Nari and Lehri rivers, face a high risk of flood flows.
The authority also forecast flash flooding across Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Rivers and streams in Ghizer, Yasin, Ishkoman, Tangir, Darel, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche, Hunza and Gilgit are expected to witness rising water levels, while local water channels in Chapursan, Shimshal, , Shingo, Rupal, Darel, Tangir and Bagrote may experience intense flows.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the districts of Bagh, Muzaffarabad, Hattian Bala, Bhimber, Rawalakot, Pallandri and Kotli have also been placed on alert for possible flash floods.
The NDMA directed local administrations to move emergency equipment and rescue resources to high risk areas in advance and ensure evacuation arrangements are in place for vulnerable communities.
The authority advised residents, tourists and travellers to stay away from rivers, streams and flood channels, avoid crossing submerged roads, bridges or fast-flowing water, and strictly follow traffic advisories.
It also warned that landslides, mudslides and sudden flash floods remain a major threat in mountainous areas during the ongoing monsoon season.
Travellers are urged to check the latest weather forecasts and road conditions before setting out and postpone non essential journeys whenever severe weather warnings are in effect.
The NDMA advised people travelling through vulnerable areas to carry drinking water, dry food, a torch, first aid supplies, a power bank and emergency contact numbers.
The authority said it is continuously monitoring the evolving weather situation through the National Emergencies Operation Centre and sharing timely alerts with all relevant departments.
NDMA also urged the public to stay updated through the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application.
