ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Saturday issued a landslide alert for June 27 to July 3, warning that forecast intermittent rainfall combined with rapidly melting glaciers could trigger landslides, rockfalls and debris flows across Gilgit-Baltistan, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) issued the advisory to enable timely preparedness by authorities and minimise risks to residents, tourists and travellers in vulnerable mountainous regions.
The NDMA said the prevailing weather pattern is fully consistent with the seasonal outlook issued by the NEOC three to four months ago, demonstrating the effectiveness of its advance forecasting and early warning system.
The authority has been providing timely weather intelligence and hazard assessments to all relevant institutions to strengthen preparedness and emergency response.
According to the alert, persistent glacier melt and expected rainfall are likely to significantly increase the risk of landslides, rockfalls and debris flows in mountainous areas during the advisory period.
The NDMA warned that the Karakoram Highway (KKH/N-35), Jaglot-Skardu Road (JSR) and adjoining link roads could face temporary closures between June 27 and July 3 due to landslides and falling rocks.
Travellers have been advised to exercise extreme caution while travelling through mountain valleys, glacier-fed streams and steep slopes, particularly during or immediately after heavy rainfall, when the likelihood of landslides increases substantially.
The authority cautioned that landslides may disrupt road connectivity, electricity supply and communication networks, urging the public to avoid unnecessary travel in high-risk areas.
Local administrations have been directed to maintain continuous monitoring of vulnerable locations and implement timely preventive measures, while emergency response teams have been placed on alert to ensure rapid response in case of any incident.
The NDMA has also instructed all relevant agencies to continue monitoring glacial lakes, rivers and the evolving weather situation.
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