The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of the NDMA has issued several alerts across Pakistan, warning of possible Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF), flash floods, landslides, and intense monsoon rains in both the northern and southern regions over the next 24 hours.
Due to a combination of persistent heat, strong monsoon activity, and a prevailing westerly wave, the chances of severe weather and water-related hazards have increased significantly.
In its GLOF advisory, NDMA noted that the ongoing heat has sped up the melting of glaciers and snow in the northern areas.
With monsoon rains continuing, pressure on glacial lakes has increased, raising the likelihood of sudden flooding.
Valleys identified as high-risk include Reshun, Brep, Booni, Sardar Gol, Thalu 1 and 2, Badswat, Hinarchi, Darkut, and Hundur.
If these lakes burst, they could cause flash floods that endanger lives, livestock, crops, and vital infrastructure like roads and communication networks. Remote areas may also become temporarily inaccessible.
“Residents, trekkers, and tourists have been strongly advised to avoid travel near glaciers, glacial lakes, and riverbanks in the identified danger zones.”
NDMA urged the public to stay updated through official channels, follow evacuation instructions when needed, and report any unusual glacier activity or water flow to local disaster authorities.
For real-time alerts, it is recommended to download the “Pak NDMA Disaster Alert” mobile app.
In a broader advisory, NDMA also warned of severe weather in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad over the next 12 to 24 hours, with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds expected.
In AJK, areas like Bagh, Rawalakot, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Haveli, Hattian Bala, and Mirpur are likely to see moderate to heavy rainfall with thunder and lightning.
Sindh is also expected to be affected, including Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Karachi, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Mirpur Khas, Thatta, and Badin.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expected impacted districts include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Karak, Kohat, Kohistan, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, Nowshera, Malakand, Charsadda, Bannu, Buner, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, and Waziristan.
In Punjab, cities and districts such as Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Hafizabad, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Okara, Lahore, Kasur, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dera Ghazi Khan are on alert. Islamabad may also face similar conditions.
“NDMA cautioned that uprooted trees, damaged power lines, and structural hazards such as collapsed rooftops or electric poles could occur. Visibility may be severely reduced due to dust storms and strong winds, increasing the risk of traffic accidents.”
People are urged to avoid being near unstable structures, trees, and billboards during storms.
Emergency services have been instructed to stay on standby.
In the Galiyat region, steady rainfall triggered several landslides and falling rocks on Wednesday, blocking traffic at multiple points.
Authorities advised tourists and locals to avoid unnecessary travel and follow safety instructions.
Traffic wardens have been posted at key locations, and the district administration has launched a 24/7 helpline (1915) for emergency assistance and information.
Separately, the AJK government has begun setting up flood emergency control rooms at district and tehsil levels as rains continue to threaten low-lying areas and glacial zones.
These control centers, led by District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and Deputy Commissioners, are being established in all 10 districts of AJK.
Staffed with trained responders from Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, and the Red Crescent Society (AJK chapter), these units will monitor flood activity around the clock and help coordinate timely responses.
Muzaffarabad Deputy Commissioner Yasir Riaz confirmed that these centers will remain in constant contact with higher authorities and nearby at-risk areas like Jhelum to ensure effective warning and response coordination.