The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday issued an alert for heavy rainfall in various districts of Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) during the next 12 to 24 hours.
According to the alert released by NDMA’s National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), there is a risk of flooding and landslides in these regions.
The disaster management authority said rainfall is expected in the districts of Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, and Kasur. In addition, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, and Pakpattan are also likely to experience heavy rains within the next 12 to 24 hours. The rains may cause flooding in urban and low-lying areas, while water levels in local streams and nullahs may rise significantly.
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Intermittent downpour is also expected across AJK in the coming 12 to 24 hours. This increases the risk of flash floods in streams and landslides in hilly areas of Neelum Valley, Bagh, Kotli, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, and Haveli. The NDMA has warned that strong water flow in mountain streams could also disrupt traffic on connecting roads.
The NDMA had already issued an alert regarding rising water levels and potential flooding in the River Sutlej. Authorities have launched large-scale evacuation operations in areas near the Sutlej. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab, Rescue 1122, and Pakistan Army engineers are actively engaged in relief operations to manage the situation, the authority said in a handout.
Authorities have urged the public to take precautionary measures, avoid rivers, streams, and low-lying areas, and refrain from unnecessary travel.