The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a landslide alert for vulnerable mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning of an increased risk of landslides from August 19 to 22, 2026.
According to the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), Malakand, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Shangla, Swat, Battagram, Allai, Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper and Lower Kohistan, Kolai Palas, Mansehra and Galiyat have been identified as vulnerable areas.
The authority warned that landslides, falling rocks and debris flows could disrupt traffic and lead to temporary or prolonged closures of roads in mountainous areas.
Several key routes have been identified as particularly vulnerable, including the N-45 around Batkhela, Chakdara and Dir, roads in the Dir valleys, the N-90, N-95 and routes connecting Chakdara, Mingora, Madyan, Bahrain and Kalam, as well as roads in Allai, Pokal and Gangwal.
Road corridors in Chitral, including the N-140, Chitral-Booni-Mastuj corridor, N-45 between Drosh, Lowari and Chitral, and the Chitral-Garam Chashma Road, are also considered at risk.
The NDMA further warned of possible landslides along vulnerable sections of the Karakoram Highway and roads around Dasu, Komila, Seo, Patan, Dubair, Jijal and Palas-Kolai. The N-15 around Balakot, Kaghan and Naran, along with roads connecting Abbottabad, Galiyat and Thandiani, may also be affected.
The authority cautioned that landslides and falling rocks could damage roads, bridges, retaining walls and other infrastructure, disrupt traffic and cut off land links to remote areas.
District administrations and relevant departments have been directed to continuously monitor vulnerable slopes and keep emergency response teams, machinery and rescue resources ready to respond to possible incidents.
The NDMA advised the public and travellers to avoid unnecessary travel through landslide-prone mountainous areas and check the latest weather and road conditions before starting their journey.
Travellers have also been urged to stay at a safe distance from affected areas in case of landslides, falling rocks or debris flows and follow instructions issued by local administration and rescue authorities.
The public can also receive timely information on weather conditions and potential natural hazards through the NDMA’s official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert app.
