NDMA Weather Alert: Landslide risk in hilly areas as Lahore receives light rain

Lahore (Web Desk): Lahore experienced light showers and drizzle today, with the Meteorological Department recording temperatures at 14°C, which are expected to dip to 10°C over the next few days.

According to weather reports, areas including Mason Road, Riaz Colony, Lawrence Road, and China Chowk received intermittent light rain throughout the day.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a weather warning, forecasting heavy rain and snowfall across the country over the next two days. Officials have specifically warned that hilly and mountainous areas are highly susceptible to landslides under these conditions.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts such as Dir, Swat, Kalam, Kaghan, Chitral, Kohistan, Shangla, Abbottabad, and Mansehra are at risk.

Similarly, parts of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, including Murree, Galyat, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza, Ghizer, Shigar, Bagh, and Muzaffarabad, face potential landslides.

Balochistan districts under alert include Quetta, Ziarat, Pishin, Chaman, Qila Abdullah, Noshki, Harnai, Zhob, Qila Saifullah, Qalat, Mastung, Awaran, Panjgur, and Khuzdar.

Authorities have also warned that key routes, including the Karakoram Highway, Babusar Road, and Kaghan-Naran road, may be blocked by landslides. Residents have been urged to avoid non-essential travel and remain indoors during periods of rain and snowfall.

Emergency services and machinery for clearing debris have been placed on standby to reopen blocked roads. NDMA officials advise the public to follow safety instructions carefully and exercise caution, particularly in vulnerable hilly and mountainous regions.