The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday warned of an increased risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), flash floods, landslides and urban flooding across northern and central Pakistan from July 1-4 due to heavy rainfall and accelerated glacier melting.

The alert, issued by the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), said rising temperatures, an active monsoon system and westerly waves were expected to trigger heavy rainfall and speed up glacier melt.

The NDMA said glacier-adjacent areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir faced an elevated threat of GLOFs, while sudden flash floods, debris flows, landslides and rockfalls could endanger vulnerable mountain communities.

It advised residents and local administrations in Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Kharmang, Astore, Diamer, Upper and Lower Chitral, Swat and other glacier-fed valleys to remain vigilant.

The authority also warned that rising temperatures and forecast rainfall could significantly increase water flow in the Hispar-Hopper Nullah, raising the risk of flash floods, debris flows and riverbank erosion.

In a separate advisory, the NEOC warned that heavy rainfall from July 1-4 could cause flash flooding in hill torrents and seasonal streams across parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

It said increased water flows were expected in streams and hill torrents in Charsadda, Nowshera, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Kohat, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swat, Upper and Lower Dir, Chitral, Shangla, Buner, Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan.

Seasonal streams in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Khushab, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad and Mandi Bahauddin were also at risk of flooding.

In Balochistan, localised flash floods were forecast in Zhob, Sherani, Musa Khel, Barkhan, Sibi, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Loralai and adjoining areas.

The NDMA said heavy rainfall could also trigger overflowing streams and localised flooding in mountainous areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, while urban flooding was expected in low-lying parts of major cities.

It warned that roads, bridges, irrigation infrastructure and other public facilities could be damaged by flooding and landslides.

The NDMA directed relevant departments to ensure precautionary measures, drainage arrangements, emergency preparedness and continuous monitoring of river flows and glacial lakes.

It advised residents in low-lying areas and along riverbanks to avoid unnecessary travel and remain alert during the forecast period.