The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning about potential threats across various parts of the country due to monsoon rains, effective until July 25. According to the spokesperson, heavy rains in northern regions could trigger landslides and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF). The affected areas include Reshun, Brep, Booni, Sardar Gol, Thulo, Hunarchi, Darkut, and Ishkoman. NDMA also warned of significant increases in water flow in the Indus, Chenab, Jhelum, and Kabul rivers.

Low to moderate-level flooding is expected at Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad on the Chenab River. Increased water flow is also anticipated at Mangla on the Jhelum River and at Nowshera on the Kabul River. The Indus River may see rising water levels at Tarbela, Kalabagh, Chashma, Taunsa, and Guddu barrages. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, there is a risk of flooding in the Swat and Panjkora rivers and other streams. In Gilgit-Baltistan, rivers such as Hunza and Shigar, along with smaller streams, may also experience flooding. 

There is also a threat of flash floods in areas like Shimshal, Hushe, Saltoro, and surrounding regions. In Balochistan, streams in Zhob, Sherani, Sibi, and Musakhel may swell due to heavy rain. NDMA has reported that landslides have already blocked both sides of the Karakoram Highway and Babusar Top. The spokesperson has urged tourists to avoid traveling to mountainous areas until July 25. 

At least 11 more fatalities were reported on Tuesday due to intense monsoon rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), pushing the nationwide death toll to 242 since late June, according to figures from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Flash floods, triggered by the downpours, swept through several areas in KP and GB, damaging homes and raising water levels in streams and rivers.

In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the NDMA to work closely with provincial authorities to provide swift relief to the affected population. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Swat reported six casualties—including four children—while Bajaur recorded two deaths. One fatality each was reported in Buner and Upper Kohistan. In Swat, two children were swept away in Sur Dheri nullah, while three others lost their lives when a roof collapsed in Madyan.

A woman was also killed by floodwaters in Khawazkhela. Meanwhile, two men in Bajaur’s Loe Mamond and a woman in Upper Kohistan were carried away by floods. A man also died in Buner. In GB, flash floods continued to wreak havoc, with Rescue 1122 reporting that Danyor nullah had overflowed, flooding homes, destroying crops, damaging irrigation systems, and cutting off access by washing away link roads and suspension bridges. 

A severe flood in Thor Nala, Chilas, inundated the Wapda Colony, prompting residents to evacuate. In Astore’s Bolan area, a woman lost her life due to the flooding. Meanwhile, around 250 tourists stranded on Babusar Highway were successfully rescued by the Diamer administration, volunteers, police, Rescue 1122, and army personnel, according to GB government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq. Reports indicate that 10 to 15 individuals are still missing, with search efforts ongoing. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)