NDMA issues warning about heat, rain, flood hazards
- The National Disaster Management Authority’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) warned on Sunday that Pakistan will experience intense heat in the southern provinces, intermittent rain and thunderstorms in the northern and hilly areas and heightened chances of flash floods and landslides from fast-melting glaciers till June 12.
The NDMA also ordered federal and provincial disaster agencies to hasten preparedness and asked people to avoid unnecessary travel and follow official safety advice.
The statement said Sindh, southern Punjab and the plains of Balochistan will witness increase in heat intensity while severe conditions would likely linger in the central and southern districts of Punjab where temperatures would remain above normal.
Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad and northern Punjab are also likely to get above normal heat till June 10.
Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Punjab may receive rain and thunderstorms on June 11-12, with Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Lahore expected to see rain and severe winds.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir are likely to get sporadic rain over the period.
On June 11-12, thunderstorms with light rain may occur in northeastern Balochistan (Zhob and Musa Khel) while the plains of Balochistan will stay hot and dry.
Weather is expected to be hot and dry in most parts of Sindh including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Tharparkar.
The NDMA bulletin states an increasing threat in the northern highlands where rising temperatures are driving the melting of glaciers in Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir.
The organization cautioned that the rapid melting raises the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides and flash flooding in downstream areas.
The most vulnerable areas include Hunza, Ghizar, Diamer, Astor, Ghanche, Shigar, Chitral, Dir, Swat and Kohistan. The NDMA also highlighted valleys and places like Darkot, Lasht, Ration, Boni, Bad Swat, Shisper, Gulgin, Hinarchi, Roshan and Kamrat that might risk floods if glacier lakes rupture.
Landslides may block important routes such as Shigar Valley Road, Skardu Road, Deosai Road and sections of the Karakoram Highway, the statement stated.
The authority has directed all concerned agencies to initiate emergency measures at once and recommended provincial Disaster Management Authorities to increase pre-emptive protective measures in vulnerable districts.
NDMA had also requested officials to step up surveillance of glacial lakes, pre positioning of rescue and relief equipment, and continuous monitoring of rivers and weather.
The bulletin’s public counsel tells people to avoid travelling when it is not needed, to be careful when the weather is poor, and to obey what the local authorities tell them to do.
Tourists and locals in mountainous areas were advised to take measures against landslides and road closures and to be updated about changing conditions.
NDMA especially suggested to prevent prolonged exposure to sun during peak heat, protect outside labourers and prioritise children, the elderly and the sick.
Health officials in Sindh, southern Punjab and Balochistan are urged to prepare for heat related ailments and issue local recommendations for vulnerable populations.
Local administrations are advised to create water and cooling preparations, activate heat stroke response protocols and provide emergency medical services easily available.
NDMA’s practical actions include staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity during peak heat hours, delaying non-essential travel to the north, carrying emergency supplies when travelling, and transferring to higher ground quickly if abrupt spikes in water levels are noted.
People are advised to follow official updates using the mobile app “Pak NDMA Disaster Alert”. The NDMA stated its evaluation was for June 7-12 and appealed to all agencies and residents to maintain a higher level of vigilance during the period.