Director Irfan Virk advise tourists, residents to avoid riverbeds as NDMA warns of flooding

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jun, 2026) Director of the Meteorological Department, Irfan Virk, on Wednesday warned tourists, residents and travelers in northern areas to exercise extreme caution and stay away from riverbeds amid forecasts of heavy rainfall and potential flooding from June 16–20.

Speaking to a local media outlet, Irfan Virk said a weather system will remain active across parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and the Islamabad Capital Territory until June 20.

The system is expected to bring intermittent rainfall, strong winds and cloudy conditions to several districts over the next few days, he added.

He said Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Murree are likely to receive light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, while isolated hailstorms cannot be ruled out in some areas. Weather activity is expected to intensify at times, increasing the possibility of heavy showers in localized pockets.

The forecast also includes rainfall in Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Jhelum and Sargodha, along with surrounding regions.

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Virk urged residents and travelers to remain cautious, particularly in vulnerable areas and to follow official advisories as weather conditions evolve through June 20.

In response to the query, he recalled an incident that occurred last year near the riverbed. The event remained clear in his memory because of the unusual circumstances surrounding it and the impact it had on those

involved.

He explained the details of the incident, noting the conditions at the location and the sequence of events as he remembered them. His recollection helped provide context and a better understanding of what had happened at the time.

Based on his experience and observations, he advised exercising greater caution in the area, particularly during periods when conditions may be unpredictable. He emphasized the importance of awareness, safety measures and timely reporting of any potential hazards to help prevent similar incidents in the future.