The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued an advisory on Wednesday, warning of flash floods and urban flooding in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other regions of the country owing to monsoon rainfall.
According to the NDMA's Emergencies Operation Centre, monsoon rains and thundershowers are predicted in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Islamabad, KP, and central and northeastern Punjab from July 17 to 21, with occasional gaps that might cause flash floods and urban flooding.
The warning comes as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) announced on Monday that all four provinces, including the AJK and Gilgit Baltistan (GB), would be hit by additional periods of rain, wind, and thundershowers as a result of the weather system's effect.
Furthermore, the NDMA said in its statement that Swat, Mingora, Battagram, Mardan, Swabi, Haripur, Abbottabad, Kashmir, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, and Sialkot are expected to get more than 50 mm of rain during the monsoon season.
The authority has directed all concerned departments to take essential steps to limit the consequences of flooding and harsh weather, emphasizing the likelihood of high winds and lightning strikes.
Meanwhile, the public has been reminded to take care to avoid floods and lightning strikes, to avoid stepping outside during inclement weather, and to remain a safe distance from power lines and wires.
A day earlier, the NDMA issued an alert warning of probable glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) in the mountainous regions of KP and GB owing to rising temperatures and predicted heavy rainfall.
The NDMA has directed the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the GB Disaster Management Authority to collaborate with the relevant departments to ensure essential preparations and emergency response measures.
Furthermore, departments have been directed to carry out their assigned obligations in order to notify local populations, visitors, and travelers in the affected regions. Locals and visitors were additionally urged to avoid excessive travel.