The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a weather alert for the next 12 to 24 hours, warning of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, hailstorms, flash flooding, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and landslides across parts of Punjab, KP, GB and IIOJK.
According to the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of NDMA, widespread rain accompanied by thunder and strong winds is expected in Islamabad and several districts of Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Jhelum, Gujar Khan, Hafizabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Khushab, Jhang, Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rainfall with thunderstorms is forecast in Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mingora, Malakand, Batagram, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Charsadda, Kohat, Karak, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan.
Similar weather conditions are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, including Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Diamer, Ghanche, Astore, Shigar, Kharmang, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Kotli, Poonch and Bhimber.
The NDMA warned that hailstorms may accompany rainfall in several areas, posing a threat to weak structures, vulnerable installations and standing crops. Strong winds could also disrupt the power supply and damage infrastructure.
The authority cautioned that rising temperatures and rainfall in northern mountainous regions may trigger glacial lake outburst floods, increase water flow in rivers and streams, and heighten the risk of landslides. Road closures are also possible due to flooding and slope failures.
Babusar Top road closed until June 6
The Babusar Top Road has been closed for all types of traffic until June 6 as authorities intensify efforts to clear accumulated snow, glaciers, and debris from the high-altitude route connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to an official travel advisory, continuous snowfall and adverse weather conditions in and around Babusar Top have hampered ongoing clearance operations. Heavy snow and glacier deposits remain at several locations along the road.