The NDMA issues a warning on flash floods and hailstorms till May 17.

On Tuesday, the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released a comprehensive weather forecast extending to May 17, cautioning of extensive rainfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms, flash floods, and landslides across various regions of the country. Provincial and district authorities have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance and implement emergency preparedness protocols.

The NDMA states that the present weather conditions align with the seasonal forecast provided by the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) three to four months ago for the April-June timeframe, noting that prior alerts had already suggested the likelihood of severe weather activity this season.

The NEOC forecasted rain with thunderstorms in certain regions of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir within the next 12 to 24 hours.

Rainfall and thunderstorms are anticipated in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, namely in Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche, Shigar, Kharmang, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Rawalakot, Kotli, Mirpur, and Bhimber.

Rain is anticipated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, specifically in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, and Waziristan.

The weather system is forecast to impact Islamabad and many districts of Punjab, including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Jhang, Okara, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar, with anticipated strong winds, thunderstorms, and hailstorms.

In Sindh, substantial winds and precipitation, followed by thunder, are anticipated in Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta, Jamshoro, and Mirpurkhas.

The NEOC cautioned that the northern portions of the country may see flash floods from May 12 to 16, especially in the mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, where elevated water levels in streams and seasonal nullahs could induce localized flooding.

The advice indicates that abrupt floods may arise in the River Chitral and its tributaries, such as Birir Gol, Acholga Gol, and Mirkhani streams.

An augmentation in water flow is anticipated in the streams and rivers traversing Swat, Dir, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Battagram, Torghar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Malakand.

Localized flooding in Gilgit-Baltistan may impact Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Darel, Tangir, Diamer, and Skardu, while tributaries associated with the Gilgit, Shigar, Shyok, and Astore rivers may experience heightened water flow.

The NDMA cautioned about increased chances of flash floods and landslides in Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, and Bagh in Azad Kashmir.

Citizens are urged to refrain from non-essential travel during inclement weather and to maintain distance from fragile structures, power lines, waterways, and unstable inclines. Tourists have been explicitly advised about camping in proximity to rivers, nullahs, and regions susceptible to landslides.

The authority instructed district administrations to maintain readiness of rescue teams and dewatering equipment, while people in low-lying areas were cautioned to prepare for an emergency evacuation.

The NDMA encouraged the public to adhere to directives from local authorities and remain informed via the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert App for prompt weather updates and emergency notifications.