ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide alert, cautioning of intense rains and possible flooding across multiple regions between August 23 and 30. According to the advisory, three fresh weather systems are entering Pakistan, further strengthening the ongoing monsoon spell.
The NDMA reported that 785 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents since late June, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa suffering the highest toll at 469 deaths.
The authority warned that scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms could trigger urban flooding, flash floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Gilgit-Baltistan, KP, and Azad Kashmir. Other parts of the country, including Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, are also forecast to receive heavy rainfall.
River flows may rise sharply, with the Indus River expected to surge to 500,000 cusecs at Taunsa, Guddu, and Kalabagh, while the Ravi and Chenab rivers are also likely to swell.
Provinces across Pakistan have been placed on high alert. In Punjab, districts such as Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Sialkot, Gujrat, and Hafizabad are expected to receive significant downpours. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chitral, Swat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Peshawar have been highlighted as vulnerable regions. Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, and Astore in Gilgit-Baltistan are also likely to be impacted.
Southern provinces remain equally at risk, with Sindh’s coastal and upper districts, including Thatta, Badin, Sukkur, Khairpur, and Larkana, on alert for heavy rains. In Balochistan, districts such as Lasbela, Khuzdar, Gwadar, and Turbat may face flash floods and landslides due to torrential downpours.
Officials have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious, as the risk of flooding and related hazards will remain high throughout the coming week.
