ISLAMABAD, MAY 15 (DNA): Warning of severe weather threats, expert of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Dr. Tayyab Shah on Friday urged tourists in summer verifications to stay away from vulnerable northern areas during the upcoming monsoon phase from June 25 to July 30, as heavy rains, flooding and glacier melting are expected to trigger dangerous conditions across the country.
In an exclusive interview with a local media outlet, he highlighted the sharp regional weather contrast across the country and urged tourists planning summer vacations in northern areas to remain extremely cautious, warning that the first phase of the monsoon carries significant risks of hazardous conditions.
He cautioned that the monsoon first phase is expected to bring potentially dangerous weather impacts, including aggressive rainfall, strong winds, thunderstorms, flood, glacier melts and rising flood threats across vulnerable
regions.
He further explained that the unusual delay in snowfall from February to March had disrupted the natural seasonal cycle, contributing to accelerated glacier melt and increasing water flow in streams and rivers across northern regions.
He also issued a Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) alert for northern areas, citing rising temperatures and rapid glacier melting and warned that glacier-prone regions could face sudden flash floods and landslides in the coming
days.
He further stated that an extreme heatwave also alert had been issued for southern Pakistan, with lower Sindh, southern Punjab and eastern Balochistan expected to be the most severely affected regions.
He advised the citizens in these areas to take strict precautionary measures, avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure during peak daytime hours, stay hydrated and follow official advisories to reduce the risk of heat-related health complications.
Responding to a query, he said the second phase of the monsoon is expected to be less severe compared to the first phase, with comparatively reduced intensity of rainfall and associated hazards.
He added that tourists may plan visits during the second phase, however they should still remain cautious and keep themselves updated with weather advisories before traveling to northern areas.
In his remarks, he explained the overall weather patterns and informed about the strong regional contrast in climatic conditions across the country, where different areas are simultaneously affected by varying intensities of heat, rainfall, and storm activity.
He noted that these shifting patterns were influencing weather impacts unevenly, increasing risks in some regions while creating contrasting conditions elsewhere and stressed the importance of public awareness and timely precautions to reduce potential hazards.
He also issued an alert regarding the risk of overflow in the Ravi River, warning that increased water releases from upstream across the border could raise water levels and create flood-like conditions in adjoining areas.
He advised the authorities and local communities to remain vigilant, closely monitor river levels and take precautionary measures to reduce potential risks in low-lying settlements near the riverbanks.
