Heavy rain, landslides feared across northern areas: NDMA

Moderate to heavy rainfall could trigger landslides on Tuesday night and Wednesday in several districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, while heavy falls might cause urban flooding in low-lying areas, according to the weather forecast issued on Tuesday.

The warning by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) covered Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Battagram, Buner, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Murree, Galiyat, G-B and Kashmir.

Mardan, Swabi, Peshawar, Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Gujrat would also experience urban flooding in low-lying areas during the forecast period.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said moist currents were approaching the upper parts of the country, while a westerly trough was present over the northern areas.

On Tuesday, rain, wind and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls, were expected in upper K-P, Islamabad, upper Punjab, G-B, Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas. Other plain areas were expected to experience hot and humid weather.

For Wednesday, rain, wind and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls were forecast for upper K-P, the Potohar region, Islamabad, G-B, Kashmir and adjoining hilly areas.

The warning came after significant rainfall was recorded in Rawalpindi and Islamabad during the previous 24 hours.

Rawalpindi received 201 millimetres at Shamsabad, 191mm at Chaklala and 187mm at New Kattarian. Pirwadhai received 87mm and Katcheri 78mm.

Read: Heavy rain batters twin cities, schools closed in Rawalpindi

In Islamabad, 157mm was recorded at Golra, 152mm at Zero Point and 105mm at Saidpur Village, while Bokra received 72mm and the airport 18mm.

Elsewhere in Punjab, Sialkot City received 21mm, Attock 23mm and Murree 17mm.

In K-P, Takht Bai received 44mm, Balakot 26mm, Kakul 15mm and Lower Dir 10mm. Saidu Sharif recorded 7mm, Malam Jabba 4mm, while Kalam and Pattan received 2mm each.

Muzaffarabad recorded 19mm at the airport and 13mm in the city, while Garhi Dopatta received 12mm and Kotli 9mm. Hunza recorded 4mm and Gilgit 3mm.

The weather remained hot and humid across most parts of the country, although isolated rain, wind and thunderstorms occurred in Islamabad, the Potohar region, upper K-P, G-B and Kashmir.

Heavy falls were also recorded at isolated locations in Islamabad, the Potohar region and upper K-P.

Dalbandin and Nokkundi recorded the country’s highest maximum temperature at 43°C, followed by Dadu at 42°C.

The forecast also warned of cloudy weather with rain, wind and thunderstorms in major tourist destinations, including Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Murree, Galiyat, Swat and Kaghan, from Wednesday to Sunday.

The weather could trigger landslides in these areas, with tourists and travellers advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period.

Dry weather was expected in Ziarat and adjoining areas from Wednesday to Sunday.