Pakistan is bracing for one of the most dangerous monsoon spells of the season, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warning of widespread flooding and intense downpours across the country from August 23 to 30.
The NDMA’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has revealed that three powerful rain systems are expected to strike during this period, potentially causing severe weather disruptions, landslides, and surging river levels. Authorities have placed disaster management teams on high alert, warning that low-lying areas and mountainous regions face heightened risks.
Regions Under Threat
From August 23 to 25, Islamabad, Kashmir, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are forecast to experience torrential rains and thunderstorms. Northeastern Punjab districts, including Rawalpindi, Attock, Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin, and Sialkot, may face urban flooding, while hilly areas risk dangerous landslides.
Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala are also at risk of severe waterlogging, with emergency response units on standby. Southern Punjab districts such as Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur could see hill torrents swell dramatically, posing threats to surrounding communities.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chitral, Swat, Abbottabad, and Malakand regions may be hit by flash floods, while northern zones of Azad Kashmir—including Muzaffarabad and Bagh—are vulnerable to both landslides and flooding. In Gilgit-Baltistan, road access to high-altitude districts could be severely disrupted due to landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.
Coastal and Southern Pakistan at Risk
From August 27 to 30, coastal Sindh—including Karachi, Thatta, and Badin—is expected to receive relentless rainfall. Interior Sindh districts like Larkana, Sukkur, and Shaheed Benazirabad face potential water surges and flooding in drainage channels.
Balochistan is equally vulnerable, with Gwadar, Turbat, Khuzdar, and Lasbela bracing for intense showers and overflowing streams. NDMA has warned that river levels may rise significantly, with the Indus River potentially surging to 500,000 cusecs at Taunsa, Guddu, and Kalabagh.
NDMA Urges Caution
Authorities have urged residents to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and relocate from high-risk zones where possible. Tourists heading to northern areas have been strongly advised to postpone plans due to the risk of landslides and flooding.
NDMA confirmed that disaster relief teams are on standby, with provincial departments ordered to ensure swift evacuation and supply of aid to affected communities. As reservoirs near full capacity and rivers continue to swell, the next week may prove critical in determining the extent of this monsoon’s impact.