ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s weather department on Thursday issued a weather alert forecasting more heavy monsoon rains across central and southern parts of the country, raising the risk of urban flooding, after weeks of torrential downpours killed at least 700 people and tens of thousands displaced.
According to the latest forecast by Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), central and lower Sindh—along with southern Balochistan—are expected to experience scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall, which may cause urban flooding and disrupt daily life in vulnerable areas.
Floods kill 427 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that 700 people had died nationwide, including 427 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the dead included 321 men, 60 children, and 46 women.
At least 270 people were reported injured in the province.
The NDMA Chairman said around 25,000 people had been rescued since 17 August, but warned of further heavy rains expected until 23 August.
In the Dalori area of Swabi, a search operation is ongoing following the destruction caused by the floods. So far, 29 bodies have been recovered, and rescue and relief teams are actively searching for the injured.
Pakistan Army leads rescue operations
Meanwhile, Pakistan Army helicopters delivered rations and other supplies to Buner, Swat, and Shangla, while engineers cleared debris from blocked roads.
Pakistan Army helicopters have airlifted rations and other essential supplies to flood-affected areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the districts of Buner, Swat, and Shangla, as part of ongoing relief operations.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army’s Corps of Engineers is actively engaged in clearing blocked roads and removing debris, while urban search and rescue teams continue operations to locate the injured and recover the deceased.
Army medical teams have also established camps in the affected regions, where doctors are providing medical treatment to those in need.
PMD advisory
The PMD in its advisory has warned that torrential rains may lead to urban flooding in low-lying areas of several districts in Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Sanghar, and Jamshoro. Flash flooding is also likely in southern parts of Balochistan due to intense rainfall.
The PMD said that heavy rains, windstorms, and lightning could pose risks to vulnerable structures mud houses, billboards, electric poles, solar panels, and vehicles.
In Islamabad and surrounding areas, partly cloudy weather is expected on Thursday, with chances of isolated rain, wind, and thundershowers. Similar weather conditions are forecast for the Pothohar region, northeast and southern Punjab, as well as upper Sindh.
Most districts in Punjab will experience hot and humid conditions, though isolated showers and thunderstorms are likely in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Murree, Galiyat, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Dera Ghazi Khan, and nearby areas.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is expected to see partly cloudy skies with isolated rain in cities including Peshawar, Swat, Abbottabad, Kohat, and Dera Ismail Khan.
In Balochistan, areas such as Gwadar, Lasbela, Ormara, Pasni, Kech, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Kalat, Quetta, and Ziarat will likely see partly cloudy conditions with rain and thundershowers, and a few places may receive heavy downpours.
Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are forecast to remain partly cloudy with isolated rain, while dry conditions will prevail in most other regions.
Over the past 24 hours, heavy rainfall was reported in parts of Sindh, Punjab, and southeast Balochistan. In Karachi, significant rainfall included 60 mm in Nazimabad, 49 mm in Korangi, and 45 mm in Keamari.
Hyderabad Airport recorded 62 mm, and Shaheed Benazirabad received 57 mm. In Punjab, Sheikhupura saw 36 mm, while Ormara in Balochistan recorded 28 mm of rainfall.
