ISLAMABAD: An NDMA flood alert has warned of flash flooding and urban inundation across parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Balochistan as heavy rain continues across Pakistan.
The National Disaster Management Authority’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) warned that intense rainfall could trigger flash floods in streams and nullahs across vulnerable northern and western districts. NDMA’s early-warning portal lists a flood alert for KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab and Balochistan among its latest September 14 warnings.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, vulnerable areas include Diamer, Ghizer, Ishkoman, Gupis, Nagar, Hunza, Shimshal, Skardu and Shigar. Upper Dir, Swat, Bajaur, Malakand, Kurram, Kohistan, Mohmand and Orakzai face similar risks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Zhob, Sherani and Musakhel are under threat in Balochistan.
Heavy rain may also cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sargodha, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Sheikhupura, according to the alert.
Read: Sindh Rain Alert Covers Karachi Through September 16
The Pakistan Meteorological Department said on September 15 that rain, wind and thunderstorms were likely in KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Punjab, Islamabad and southeastern Sindh, with isolated heavy rain and hail possible in some areas.
NDMA asked provincial and district authorities to remain alert and maintain emergency preparedness. Its current weekly outlook also warns of scattered to widespread rain with isolated heavy falls across northern and central regions through September 17.
Sindh is expected to remain mainly hot and humid, although rain and thunderstorms may continue in Karachi and several other districts through September 16.
