Rain in Karachi. Photo: APP (file)
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday advised citizens to remain alert as intermittent pre-monsoon rains were expected across Pakistan from June 28 to July 3.
According to NDMA officials talking to media channels, a dangerous combination of intense heat and expected pre-monsoon rainfall is likely to accelerate glacier melting, triggering a sharp rise in water levels in rivers and streams across Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The agency warned that vulnerable mountain areas face increased risks of glacial lake outbursts (GLOFs), flash floods and landslides during the forecast period due to rapidly changing and unstable weather conditions.
Residents, tourists and travelers have been strongly advised to exercise extreme caution in high-risk districts including Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Kharmang, Astore, Diamer, Upper and Lower Chitral and Swat, where sudden changes in weather can create life-threatening situations.
The NDMA further urged the public to strictly avoid unnecessary movement near rivers, streams, glacial lakes and riverbanks, and stressed the importance of immediate reporting of unusual or dangerous conditions to local authorities to prevent loss of life and property.
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Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) have been put on high alert with strict instructions to ensure full emergency preparedness, rapid response capacity and coordinated response in the event of a disaster triggered by the expected weather system.
Overall, the NDMA emphasized that timely precautions, strict adherence to safety advisories and coordinated preparedness at all levels were essential to minimize risks, protect lives and reduce potential damage from the expected weather-related hazards.
