PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday issued a flood warning after the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast continued heavy rainfall across the province and other parts of the country.
In its advisory, the PDMA said downpours were expected to swell local streams and rivers in districts including Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan and Abbottabad, with the risk of flooding. It warned that persistent rain could trigger landslides in mountainous areas, cutting off road access and isolating remote communities.
Urban flooding was also feared in low-lying parts of Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan. The authority added that strong winds and heavy showers might damage fragile structures such as mud houses, boundary walls, electricity poles, billboards, vehicles and solar panels.
Local administrations, police and rescue services were put on high alert, while citizens and tourists were advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from riverbanks and remain updated on weather alerts.
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The Met Office, meanwhile, cautioned that widespread heavy rains could cause flash floods and landslides in parts of KP, Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
According to its forecast, torrential rains may cause flooding in local streams and rivers in Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi and Mardan. Heavy showers were also predicted in Murree and the Galliyat region.
In Punjab, the provincial PDMA raised concerns over rising water levels in the Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej and Jhelum rivers. The Sutlej was already flowing at a high level near Ganda Singh Wala and was expected to remain elevated for at least 48 hours.
The authority said northern and north-eastern districts could face medium to high-level flooding, while flash floods were also possible. Rescue units have been deployed to sensitive areas, and announcements are being made through mosques and local authorities to alert vulnerable communities.
Citizens have been advised to contact the PDMA helpline 1129 in case of emergencies.
