GILGIT: Torrential monsoon rains continue to batter parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, with flash floods in a seasonal stream in Diamer’s Darel Valley causing widespread damage to crops, irrigation infrastructure, and local connectivity.
According to local reports, heavy rainfall caused the Darel seasonal stream to overflow, sweeping away agricultural fields, water channels, pedestrian bridges, and traditional watermills. The flooding also severely disrupted the area’s irrigation system, affecting farmland and creating difficulties for local communities that rely on agriculture as their primary source of livelihood.
Authorities are continuing to assess the extent of the damage as residents work to restore access to affected areas.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast more heavy rainfall across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir during the night and throughout the following day.
The weather department has warned that persistent rainfall could trigger landslides in mountainous regions and cause seasonal streams and rivers to swell rapidly, increasing the risk of flash floods.
Officials have also cautioned that intense downpours may lead to urban flooding in low-lying areas of several major cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Narowal, Peshawar, and Nowshera.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has warned that this year’s monsoon season is expected to bring above-normal rainfall, increasing the likelihood of flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides across vulnerable districts.
According to the PDMA, the districts of Chitral, Swat, Upper and Lower Dir, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Torghar have been identified as highly vulnerable to severe weather-related incidents during the ongoing monsoon season.
Emergency authorities have advised residents living near rivers, streams, and unstable mountain slopes to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rainfall, and follow official safety advisories.
Rescue and disaster management agencies have been placed on alert to respond quickly to any emergencies arising from flooding or landslides. Local administrations have also been directed to monitor weather conditions closely and ensure that emergency response teams and machinery are ready for deployment.
Pakistan experiences heavy monsoon rains each year, particularly in northern and mountainous regions where intense rainfall can rapidly trigger flash floods and landslides. Such events often result in damage to roads, bridges, irrigation systems, homes, and agricultural land, while also disrupting transportation and communication networks.
Authorities have urged the public to stay updated with official weather forecasts and avoid crossing flooded roads or seasonal streams, as water levels can rise rapidly during periods of intense rainfall.
With more rain forecast over the coming days, officials continue to monitor the evolving weather situation and have called on residents in high-risk areas to take precautionary measures to safeguard lives and property.
About The Author
