Sindh is once again staring down the barrel of a natural disaster as officials warn of dangerous flooding and torrential rains set to hit the province in the coming days.
The confluence of a rising Indus River and fresh monsoon currents could leave large swathes of the province under water, authorities cautioned on Thursday.
Forecasts indicate that a very high flood at Guddu Barrage is expected between September 6 and 7, overlapping with heavy rain spells predicted from September 7 to 9. The scenario raises the likelihood of urban flooding, overflowing rivers, and damage across low-lying districts of Sindh.
Adding to the danger is a low-pressure system currently hovering over Madhya Pradesh in India. Meteorologists say it is moving westward toward Rajasthan and adjoining Sindh, where it could unleash torrential rains across several districts, including Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, Karachi, Sukkur, and Larkana.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Government of Sindh, water levels are already concerning. On September 4, the Guddu Barrage recorded flows of 337,800 cusecs, with forecasts suggesting an increase to nearly 390,000 cusecs. Sukkur Barrage, at 330,800 cusecs, also remains under pressure.
Despite concerns voiced by some local activists about barrage management, provincial officials insisted that all operations were proceeding under strict safety protocols. They stressed that floodwaters were being regulated responsibly to minimize risk.
The PDMA has directed deputy commissioners across Sindh to remain on high alert, while over 40 provincial departments, utility companies, and rescue organizations have been instructed to prepare emergency response plans. In Karachi, officials have warned residents to brace for possible waterlogging between September 7 and 9, although the days leading up to the rains are expected to remain hot and humid.
Meanwhile, the national flood outlook paints an equally worrying picture. The River Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala is already in exceptionally high flood, while the River Chenab at Panjnad is forecast to reach very high levels by September 5. Heavy rain is also predicted in Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Kashmir, raising the specter of flash floods and landslides.
In Sindh, the expected rains will particularly threaten districts like Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Thatta, Badin, and Karachi, where urban flooding could paralyze civic life. Floodwaters may disrupt transportation, damage weak structures, and increase health risks in areas already struggling with stagnant water from earlier monsoon spells.
Authorities are urging residents to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow weather updates closely. Emergency teams have been placed on standby to ensure swift response to any crisis. As one Karachi schoolteacher put it, the fear of even “a drop of rain” lingers among citizens still reeling from the devastation of past deluges.
The next few days will prove critical for Sindh, as the province braces itself for what could be one of the toughest monsoon challenges of the year.