NDMA sounds rain alert across Pakistan

Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a weather alert, warning of rainfall and thunderstorms in several parts of the

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a weather alert, warning of rainfall and thunderstorms in several parts of the country over the next 12 hours.

According to the advisory, rain is expected in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with some areas likely to experience strong winds along with showers.

In Punjab, rainfall is forecast for Mianwali, Khushab, Chakwal, Talagang, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Hafizabad and Lahore. Similar weather conditions are also expected in Gujranwala, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Layyah, Multan, Kot Addu, Bahawalnagar, Hasilpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain accompanied by gusty winds is likely in Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Kohat, Karak, Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, Swat, Dir, Malakand, Bajaur, Shangla, Buner, Mohmand, Khyber and Waziristan.

The weather system is also expected to affect several districts of Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Sanghar, Nawabshah, Dadu, Larkana, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Sukkur and Ghotki.

In Azad Kashmir, rainfall is forecast in Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Poonch, Bagh, Haveli, Kotli and Mirpur.

Meanwhile, Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche, Shigar and Kharmang in Gilgit-Baltistan are also expected to receive rain during the forecast period.

The NDMA has advised residents, travellers and local authorities to remain alert and take precautionary measures, particularly in areas vulnerable to flash flooding, landslides and urban flooding.