The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain, windstorms, and thundershowers in the northern parts of the country over the weekend, starting from July 10 to 13. The weather system is driven by a westerly wave and moist currents from the Arabian Sea, which are expected to strengthen on Saturday evening.
Regional Weather Outlook
In Gilgit-Baltistan, rain, windstorms, and thundershowers are predicted for Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, and Shigar from July 11 (evening) to 13, with occasional gaps. The PMD also issued a similar forecast for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, covering districts such as Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Kurram, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Waziristan, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, and Hangu on July 11 and 12.
For Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the PMD warned of rain, windstorms, and thundershowers with isolated heavy falls in Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Neelum Valley, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur from July 10 (night) to 13, with occasional gaps.
Potential Hazards and Advisories
The PMD advised local authorities to remain vigilant, noting that windstorms and lightning could damage weak structures such as solar panels, electric poles, and billboards. The department also warned of landslides in vulnerable areas of upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir on July 11 and 12. Additionally, water flow may increase in local streams and nullahs during the forecast period.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a separate warning, advising tourists and non-essential travelers to avoid northern areas from July 10 to 14 due to the threat of sudden glacial floods and landslides. The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) highlighted that landslide alerts cover July 11–13, while flood and river surge warnings apply across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir until July 14.
High-Risk Zones and Precautions
Authorities have been directed to carry out rapid hazard assessments and relay real-time warnings to local administrations. Rising temperatures and ongoing heavy rain could trigger glacial lake outburst floods, hill torrents, debris flows, sudden river surges, and rockfalls in vulnerable glacial valleys. High-risk zones identified by the NDMA include Badswat, Ashkoman, Hinarchi, Yasin Valley, Khaplu, Hisper Glacier, Hopper Glacier, and surrounding areas. Vulnerable roads include Jaglot-Skardu, Hunza-Gojal, and Gilgit-Ghizer, as well as Naltar Valley, Bagrot Valley, and Hermosh.
The NEOC urged citizens to take immediate precautions, such as staying away from glacial lakes, river channels, and known flood paths, and avoiding travel on landslide-prone roads. Travelers are advised to follow instructions from local authorities. The NDMA warned that riverbank erosion and sudden debris flows could rapidly worsen conditions, and district administrations have been instructed to mobilize emergency response teams and issue on-ground warnings. For official updates and safety guidance, the public and visitors are directed to use the Pakistan NDMA Disaster Alert application.
