Flood, landslip warning issued in GB, KP, Azad Kashmir

National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an alert on potential risk of glacial lake outburst floods, flash floods and landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir due to monsoon rains and rising temperatures.

Rising temperatures are rapidly melting glaciers and increasing the risk of glacial lakes bursting, the NDMA said. Sensitive places include Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Shigar, Gilgit, Rondo, Diamer, Astore, Skardu, Ganchhe, Kharmang and Neelum Valley.

Flash floods and landslides were also reported in Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Buner and adjoining hilly districts.

The NDMA has asked concerned authorities to keep a constant watch on the vulnerable glaciers, lakes, rivers and streams.

NEOC has also issued notice of severe and torrential rains with thunderstorms for Pothohar and upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Murree, Galiat and the surrounding districts are likely to witness heavy rain from September 2 to 5.

Heavy rains are also expected in Dir, Swat, Buner, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan and Peshawar.

The heavy rains are generating urban flash floods and there is a risk of flooding and landslides in hilly areas.

The NDMA has advised individuals to refrain from travelling unnecessarily, avoid low lying regions, streams, rain gutters and river banks. The public has also been warned not to walk or drive into floodwaters, fast flowing water, inundated roads and bridges.

The authorities asked the local administration to move required resources to sensitive locations in advance, make safe plans for evacuation and implement timely safety measures.