ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday issued a nationwide alert ahead of a fresh spell of monsoon rains expected to hit large parts of the country from Sunday, warning of flash floods, urban flooding, and landslides.
According to the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), widespread rain and thunderstorms triggered by the interaction of moist currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal with a westerly weather system are likely to affect various regions from 6 to 10 July.
Northern areas, in particular, may face flash flooding risks extending through 12 July.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that monsoon activity would intensify from the evening of 5 July, with a strong westerly wave expected to approach upper Pakistan by 6 July.
In a detailed advisory, the PMD forecast rain-wind/thundershowers across Upper and South Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, southeastern Sindh, northeastern and southern Balochistan, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The NDMA urged the public to take precautionary measures amid the risk of flash floods, landslides, waterlogging, and infrastructure damage.
The authority warned that the upcoming weather conditions may cause road blockages, damage to weak structures, power outages, and communication disruptions.
Motorists were advised to avoid driving through flooded roads and underpasses, while tourists were strongly discouraged from travelling to high-altitude or flood-prone areas.
In Punjab, rainfall and thunderstorms are expected from 6 to 10 July in Islamabad and across districts such as Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Sargodha, and Multan.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding in Murree, Galliyat, and surrounding hilly areas, the PMD said. Urban flooding is also possible in low-lying areas of Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Sargodha.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, heavy rain is forecast in districts including Swat, Chitral, Mansehra, Abbottabad, and Peshawar. The NDMA identified these regions as highly vulnerable to flash floods and landslides due to saturated soil and steep terrain.
Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir will also experience moderate to heavy rainfall, particularly during evening and night hours.
Areas such as Skardu, Hunza, Muzaffarabad, and Neelum Valley are at increased risk of flash floods and landslides.
In Sindh, isolated to moderate rainfall is expected in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Tharparkar, while heavier downpours are forecast in Larkana, Jacobabad, and Dadu.
The NDMA warned of possible urban flooding, traffic congestion, and damage to infrastructure in these areas.
Parts of Balochistan, including Quetta, Khuzdar, and Dera Bugti, may receive scattered to heavy rainfall, with risks of waterlogging and wind damage to weak structures and roadside billboards.
The NDMA advised local authorities to ensure emergency response teams are on high alert, drainage systems are cleared, and public awareness campaigns are carried out.
It also asked citizens to stay updated through official NDMA advisories and use the “Pak NDMA Disaster Alert” mobile app for real-time weather warnings and safety guidance.
The warning comes as Pakistan continues to reel from the impacts of an earlier monsoon spell.
The NDMA reported on Wednesday that at least 64 people have died and 117 others injured in rain-related incidents over the past week. The highest number of fatalities — 23, including 10 children — occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
