The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Pakistan has issued a high alert over the risk of flooding in several northern parts of the country.
The authority warned that heavy rain is expected over the next 48 hours in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
The rainfall could cause rivers to swell and trigger flooding in streams and waterways.
The authority warned that heavy rain is expected over the next 48 hours in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Azad Kashmir. The rainfall could cause rivers to swell and trigger flooding in streams and waterways.
In GB, there is a risk of flash floods in Gilgit, Diamer, Ghizer, Hunza, Skardu, Astore and Shigar.
Flooding is also possible in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Bajaur, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Nowshera, Swabi and Mardan in KP.
The NDMA also warned of a high risk of flooding in parts of Bagh, Poonch, Muzaffarabad, Haveli, Bhimber, Mirpur, Kotli and Sudhanoti in In Azad Kashmir.
The NDMA said rising water levels in streams and waterways were possible in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum.
Flooding is also expected in low-lying and urban areas of Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Kasur, Okara, Mandi Bahauddin, Wazirabad and Sargodha.
The NDMA has directed local administrations to move emergency resources to vulnerable areas and ensure that arrangements are in place for evacuations if required.
People living in flood-prone areas, as well as tourists, have been advised to stay away from riverbanks and avoid crossing fast-flowing water or roads that are submerged.
The authority has also urged people to exercise extra caution in mountainous areas, where landslides and debris flows remain a risk during the monsoon season.
