Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other relevant institutions to be on high alert in view of possible flooding in the adjacent areas of the Chenab River.

In a statement, the Prime Minister said he is also monitoring the dashboard of the expected severe spell of monsoon. He said NDMA, PDMAs, civil defence and district administrations should be ready at all times to protect the people in the catchment areas of Chenab River and the cities that are at risk of flooding.

Meanwhile, NDMA informed Prime Minister that the foreign tourists in the flash flood-hit Astore area are safe and away from the affected area.

In a report submitted to the Prime Minister, the NDMA informed that the Authority took immediate action to protect the foreign tourists in the flood-affected area.

It was told that two Italian and an Argentinian tourist were on safe and at a distant location from the affected area.