Karachi, August 16, 2025 – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has sounded an alert for Sindh as a fresh and powerful monsoon spell is expected to hit the province early next week, with Karachi among the cities likely to experience thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
According to the Met Office, humid and partly cloudy weather will prevail in Karachi over the weekend, with chances of drizzle at night and early morning on Saturday and Sunday. Daytime temperatures are forecast to remain high, fluctuating between 37°C during the day and 28°C at night, adding to the discomfort of residents already enduring sweltering humidity.
From Monday, however, weather conditions are set to change drastically as strong monsoon currents penetrate eastern Sindh, gradually intensifying and spreading across the province. The PMD warned of thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rainfall in several districts, including Ghotki, Sukkur, Kashmore, Dadu, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Khairpur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Umerkot, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Matiari, and Tharparkar. In Karachi, rainfall of light to moderate intensity is expected on August 18, with the possibility of isolated heavier downpours.
Officials cautioned that due to the impact of the incoming monsoon, urban flooding cannot be ruled out in low-lying neighborhoods of Karachi, Hyderabad, and Badin. Past experiences show that intense showers often overwhelm drainage systems in Sindh’s major cities, disrupting transport and electricity supply.
The PMD added that monsoon currents from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are intensifying, fueling wet conditions across the country. Between August 18 and 23, widespread rainfall is anticipated in Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar are among the cities likely to see thundershowers during the same period.
In Punjab, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported rising water flows in major rivers due to continuous monsoon rains. A medium-level flood was recorded in the Indus River at Chashma, while low-level floods were observed at Kalabagh, Tarbela, and Taunsa. The Chenab River at Khanki and Marala, and the Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala, also experienced low-level flooding. Water levels in Jhelum and Ravi, however, remained stable.
PDMA Punjab Director General Irfan Ali Kathia confirmed that Tarbela Dam has reached 96% capacity, while Mangla is at 67%. He said Indian reservoirs are nearly 70% full, raising concerns about additional water inflows in the coming days. Provincial administrations have been instructed to remain on high alert and prepare for potential emergencies.
The PMD stressed that while the monsoon brings much-needed rainfall crucial for agriculture and water storage, it also poses grave risks of flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. Citizens, particularly in coastal areas like Karachi and low-lying districts of Sindh, have been advised to take precautionary measures, avoid unnecessary travel during heavy showers, and stay updated through official advisories.