ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday issued a fresh alert for flash floods and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) events amid severe weather conditions, as heavy monsoon rains killed 64 people across the country over the past week.
According to the country’s disaster management authority, NDMA, the highest toll was reported in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with 23 dead, including 10 children, due to rain-related incidents since June 26, 2025.
Fourteen of the victims were swept away in a flash flood in the Swat Valley last week, local media reported. Twelve bodies have been recovered so far, according to rescue officials, with search operations ongoing for the remaining person.
Flash floods and homes collapsing in heavy rain killed 21 others in the eastern province of Punjab, including 11 children, NDMA said.
In the southern province of Sindh, 15 people were killed, while five people died in southwestern Balochistan.
At least 113 were injured throughout the country, among them 45 children, 37 men and 31 women.
The national meteorological service warned that the risk of heavy rain and possible flash floods will remain high until at least Saturday.
In May, at least 32 people were killed in severe storms in the South Asian nation, which experienced several extreme weather events in the spring, including strong hailstorms.
NDMA warns of flash floods
The disaster management authority has warned provincial and local authorities to stay on high alert throughout the monsoon season, particularly in mountainous and low-lying areas.
“National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of NDMA has issued multiple impact-based weather alerts for various regions of Pakistan in light of forecasted severe weather conditions expected from 2nd to 8th July 2025,” the NDMA said.
“These alerts highlight the growing risk of flash floods, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and urban flooding in different parts of the country.”
The NDMA said low to moderate rainfall is likely to continue until July 5, after which an active southwest monsoon system, coupled with a westerly wave, is expected to enter the country and generate moderate to heavy rainfall and localised thunderstorms.
“The most affected regions are upper catchments of major rivers including Central and Lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and the northeastern parts of Punjab, particularly Lahore,” the authority said.
It warned of increased river flows across the country, River Kabul in particular and warned that inflows into Tarbela Dam may reach the low flood limit.
The NDMA said flash floods in riverine areas, especially where nullahs and local streams converge, may pose threats to nearby settlements.
“Simultaneously, the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and landslides has increased in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where ongoing high temperatures have accelerated glacier and snow melt,” the NDMA said.
“The situation is further aggravated by incoming moist currents and rainfall. Vulnerable glacial valleys and narrow mountain passes may face sudden GLOF events, flash floods, road blockages, and disruptions to infrastructure and tourism.”
The NDMA warned that in northeastern Punjab, including Lahore, Sialkot, and Narowal districts, local nullahs such as Aik, Deg, Bein, Basantar, and Palku may overflow, causing waterlogging and urban flooding in low-lying neighbourhoods. In D.G. Khan and Rajanpur, hill torrents may also be activated, causing localised low-level flooding.
Climate change effects
Pakistan is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change, and its 255 million residents are facing extreme weather events with increasing frequency.
The country is facing increasingly frequent and intense weather events such as heatwaves, droughts and torrential rains.
According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Pakistan contributes less than 1 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, which is insignificant when compared to developed nations.
In 2022, a combination of heavy monsoon rains and glacial melt caused catastrophic floods that killed more than 1,700 people and caused damage estimated at over $33 billion.
