ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday warned of medium to high flood risks across several parts of the country from July 20 to 23 as a strong monsoon system coupled with an approaching westerly wave is expected to trigger widespread rainfall, flash floods, rising river flows and urban flooding, according to a hydrological situation alert issued by the authority.
The alert said isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and upper Punjab, increasing the risk of flash flooding in hill torrents, seasonal streams and low lying urban areas.
The NDMA warned that river flows across all major river systems are expected to rise significantly during the period.
Medium to high flood levels are likely in the River Chenab at Marala and the River Jhelum upstream of Mangla, while associated nullahs of the Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi rivers may also witness sharp increases in water levels.
High flows are expected in the River Kabul and its tributaries, particularly around Nowshera.
Water levels are also likely to rise rapidly in the Swat, Panjkora and Chitral rivers and other tributaries of the Kabul River basin.
Tributaries of the Jhelum basin in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and transboundary nullahs originating from the Pir Panjal range may experience sudden surges.
The authority cautioned that flash flooding is likely in vulnerable valleys and streams of Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and northern Balochistan.
The hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur and the Nari, Bolan and Lehri river systems in Balochistan are among the areas facing heightened risks.
Urban flooding may occur in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Lahore and Sheikhupura in Punjab, and in Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda and Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to heavy downpours and inadequate drainage capacity.
The NDMA advised provincial and district authorities to remain vigilant and ensure timely implementation of contingency plans.
Citizens living near rivers, nullahs and hill torrents have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall and follow official advisories and early warnings.
The authority said flows in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers will also depend on upstream water releases from Indian reservoirs and will continue to be monitored closely during the forecast period.
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