The NDMA has issued a 72‑hour flood warning for the Hunza‑Skardu corridor.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast to lash Gilgit‑Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the next three days, bringing strong gusts and intense downpours that could quickly swell rivers and trigger flash floods. Meteorologists warn that the vulnerable valleys along the Karakoram Highway, especially Hunza and the stretch leading to Skardu, are at heightened risk of landslides and water‑logging.
Local authorities say the coming weather could disrupt the region’s already fragile transport network. The highway, a lifeline for both tourism and the transport of essential supplies, may face temporary closures if debris or flood‑damaged bridges become unsafe. Farmers in the lower reaches of the Hunza and Astore valleys also risk losing newly sown crops, while small‑scale hydropower installations could be overwhelmed by surging streams.
The National Disaster Management Authority has mobilised rescue teams, pre‑positioned relief kits, and set up emergency operation centres in Gilgit and Muzaffarabad. Residents have been urged to avoid low‑lying fields, stay clear of fast‑moving water, and heed any evacuation orders issued by district administration. Community volunteers are being briefed on rapid response protocols, and the Pakistan Meteorological Department will provide hourly updates through local radio and mobile alerts.
“Preparedness is our best defense against sudden floods,” said NDMA spokesperson Zahid Ali, emphasizing that the agency is closely monitoring river gauges and will issue real‑time warnings if water levels breach critical thresholds. He added that shelters have been readied in Gilgit, Skardu, and Muzaffarabad to accommodate displaced families.
As the system tracks the evolving weather pattern, officials stress the importance of staying informed and acting promptly. The next 72 hours will be decisive for minimizing damage and safeguarding lives in Pakistan’s northern highlands.