Islamabad : National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) of NDMA has issued landslide alerts for multiple regions of the country in view of an active weather system bringing heavy rain and snowfall from 27 January. A high-level landslide alert has been issued for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan & Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while a medium-level landslide alert remains in place for several districts of Balochistan. The alerts are based on forecasted intense precipitation, snowfall, and prevailing geological conditions in hilly and mountainous areas.
According to NEOC, heavy rain and snowfall are expected to affect districts including Dir, Swat, Kalam, Kaghan, Chitral, Kohistan, Shangla, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Murree (Galiyat), Astore, Bunji, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza and surrounding mountainous regions. These areas are characterized by steep slopes, fragile terrain, river-cut valleys, and roadside embankments, making them highly vulnerable to landslides, mudslides, snow-slides, and rockfalls. High and very high landslide-prone zones have been identified in these regions, particularly along major mountain corridors.
In Balochistan, widespread rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, and moderate to heavy snowfall are expected over the next 24 to 48 hours, affecting both highland and lowland districts including Quetta, Ziarat, Pishin, Chaman, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Zhob, Harnai, Kalat, Mastung, Awaran, Panjgur, Noshki and Khuzdar. These conditions may result in unstable slopes, localized landslides, debris flows, and rockfalls, particularly in hilly terrain and areas where rainfall coincides with snow accumulation or sudden thawing.
NEOC warns that weather-induced slope instability may lead to road blockages, traffic disruptions, and temporary isolation of remote communities, especially along key routes such as the Karakoram Highway, N-15 (Babusar Route), Kaghan–Naran Road, Swat Valley corridors, Astore Road, and Skardu Road. Flash flooding in hill torrents and nullahs may further destabilize slopes, posing risks to settlements, vehicles, public infrastructure, and essential services.
NDMA advises the general public to avoid unnecessary travel in hilly and landslide-prone areas during the alert period and to remain vigilant for early warning signs such as falling debris, surface cracks, or unusual sounds. Travelers and tourists are urged to exercise extreme caution and avoid traveling during or immediately after heavy rainfall or snowfall. Provincial and district disaster management authorities, local administrations, and relevant departments have been advised to remain on high alert, ensure readiness of emergency response teams, and keep road clearance machinery operational for timely response. NDMA will continue to monitor the evolving situation through NEOC and issue further updates as necessary.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
