Flash Flooding
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Wednesday issued a comprehensive advisory to all district administrations in the province, warning of flash floods, urban flooding, and landslides due to an approaching monsoon weather system forecasted to last from July 5 to July 11.
Citing data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the PDMA highlighted that moist currents are entering most regions of the province and are expected to intensify over the next few days.
A westerly weather wave is also anticipated to reach KP by the evening of July 5, triggering widespread rainfall and thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds, and in some areas, heavy downpours.
According to the advisory, moderate to heavy rains are likely to impact multiple districts including Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Chitral, Swat, Dir, Buner, Malakand, Battagram, Shangla, Kohistan, Kolai-Pallas, Torghar, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu, Bannu, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, and the North and South Waziristan regions.
The PDMA warned that very heavy rainfall could result in flash floods in streams and nullahs of mountainous and hilly districts such as Galiyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Bajaur, Chitral, Dir, Swat, and Khyber. Urban flooding is likely in low-lying urban zones of Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera, Kohat, and Dera Ismail Khan. Additionally, riverine flooding could occur in the Chitral, Swat, Panjkora, and Kabul rivers.
Landslides are another critical risk, particularly in vulnerable hilly areas like Abbottabad, Battagram, Chitral, Shangla, Dir, Kohistan, Malakand, Mohmand, and North Waziristan. The PDMA cautioned that these landslides could lead to road blockages, isolation of communities, and disruption of relief operations.
Furthermore, the advisory warned that strong winds, hailstorms, and lightning may damage weak infrastructure, including mud houses, electric poles, solar panels, vehicles, and billboards. All deputy commissioners have been urged to take proactive steps to minimize potential losses to human lives, infrastructure, crops, and livestock.
District administrations have been instructed to assess local risks, mobilize additional resources, and secure hazardous areas. This includes controlling traffic near tourist zones, removing or securing billboards, ensuring functional drainage systems, and preparing for possible evacuations. Coordination with municipal bodies to implement flood mitigation and landslide response measures has also been emphasized.
Farmers have been advised to protect crops from storm damage, while livestock herders are urged to relocate animals to safer locations. The advisory also directed relevant agencies to warn travelers about adverse road conditions, arrange detours, and keep emergency shelters ready.
The PDMA stressed the need for pre-positioning essential supplies such as food, water, and medicines in districts that may be cut off due to landslides. Availability of rescue teams, medical staff, and emergency equipment in flood-prone areas is to be ensured.
As monsoon activity intensifies, authorities are on high alert to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and protect vulnerable communities across the province.
