GILGIT: The Severe rains in Gilgit-Baltistan have severely disrupted daily life.The Karakoram Highway, Baltistan Express way and Astore Road are closed at various points due to landslides and rockfalls. Thousands of passengers are stranded due to the closure of these roads.
The restoration work on the Baltistan Highway has not started yet. The Baltistan Highway is closed at Treako and Rondo. The Karakoram Highway is closed at Gandalo.
The Astore-Gilgit road is closed at Mashkin due to landsliding. The power and water supply systems have also been affected due to the heavy rains. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights between Gilgit and Islamabad have been canceled for the past two days due to bad weather.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has indicated chances of triggering Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), flash floods and landslides in districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan.A westerly wave was likely to affect Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from August 29 onwards.
Under the influence of this weather system, there is an increased likelihood of triggering GLOF events, flash floods, and landslides in Nagar, Gilgit, and Astore districts in Gilgit Baltistan, and Chitral/Dir districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The moderate to heavy rainfall with wind/thunderstorm is expected in isolated areas with occasional gaps.The district administration, relevant local organizations, and local communities are advised to remain vigilant and observe precautionary measures to avoid any untoward situations.
The PMD forecast that the current spell of torrential rains will continue in southern and central parts of the country during the week.
The deep depression currently located over North of Gujrat (India) was likely to reach adjoining areas of Pakistan (Eastern Sindh) during next 24 hours. Due to this weather system, strong monsoon currents were penetrating in the country especially in southern parts. A westerly wave was also likely to affect upper parts of the country from August 29 onwards, the PMD said.
Under the influence of this weather system, rain-wind/thundershower with few heavyfalls are expected in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha,
Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Multan, Khanewal, Lohdran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Khanpur and Rahimyar Khan from August 27-31 with occasional gaps.
In Sindh, widespread rain-wind/thundershower with scattered heavyfalls or isolated very heavyfalls are expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Thatta, Badin, Sajawal, Shaheed Benazirabad, Jamshoro, Tando Allayar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tharparkar, Nagarparkar, Mithi, Mirpur Khas, Umarkot, Matiari, Sanghar, Sukkur, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Khairpur, Larkana, Jacobabad and Nausheroferoze from August 27-31.
