(APP) — The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued an advisory on Monday, warning of monsoon currents originating from the Bay of Bengal that are expected to impact central and southern parts of the country from July 27 to August 3.

According to the NDMA, these currents are likely to bring heavy to substantial rainfall in the upper catchment areas of western and eastern rivers from July 28 to August 4.

The advisory highlighted potential flash flooding in northeastern Punjab, including the Deg, Basemter, and Bein nullahs of the Ravi River, as well as the Aik and Palku areas in the catchment of the Chenab River. Similar threats are anticipated in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, and Bhimber in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), as well as in Mardan, Swat, Dir, Kohistan, Shangla, and Malakand in the upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.

The NDMA also warned of low to medium-level flows in the Jhelum River upstream of Mangla, the Kabul River and its tributaries, and the Chenab River at Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad. Additionally, similar flow levels are expected in the Indus River at Tarbela and in the hill torrents of the DG Khan division, along with increased flows in the nullahs of Zhob.

Urban flooding is anticipated in the northern and northeastern regions of Punjab, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Gujrat, Rawalpindi/Islamabad, and surrounding areas. Southern parts of Sindh, including Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, and Karachi, may also experience urban flooding during the forecasted period.

The NDMA has directed all relevant departments to implement necessary precautions to mitigate the potential impact of flooding and extreme weather conditions. The authority cautioned that flash floods can occur suddenly, posing a significant risk to people and property. Residents in vulnerable areas are advised to avoid floodwaters and move to safer locations. It was emphasized that even six inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet, while one foot of water can sweep away a vehicle.

The public is advised to avoid crossing bridges if water is flowing rapidly beneath them and to refrain from staying in weak structures. In case of intense rain, seeking shelter in secure places such as schools, government buildings, or other concrete structures is recommended.

To enhance public safety and preparedness, the NDMA has launched the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert application, available on the Google Play Store and iOS App Store. This app provides timely alerts, advisories, and guidelines to help people stay informed and safe during natural disasters.