ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s monsoon nightmare has deepened with alarming speed as the death toll from relentless rains climbed to 164 on Friday, with 496 others injured, while forecasters warned of another battering across the country’s upper and central regions from August 21 to 23, threatening to unleash more urban flooding, flash floods, and landslides in areas already reeling from days of destruction.
GLOF ALERT: Advisory for Gilgit-Baltistan & Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.#PMD #GLOF #GlacialLakeOutburstFlood #WeatherAlert #GilgitBaltistan #KhyberPakhtunkhwa #FlashFlood #Landslide #DisasterPreparedness #StayAlert #PakistanWeather #PublicSafety@ndmapk @gbdma @PDMAKP pic.twitter.com/JFcwTRWbyS
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) August 21, 2026
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed the mounting casualties as the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued fresh alerts for heavy rainfall across Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Punjab, and Gilgit-Baltistan, with authorities scrambling to prevent further loss of life.
Fresh warning as monsoon currents intensify
According to the PMD, monsoon currents continue to penetrate the upper and central parts of the country, with a westerly wave also present over the upper regions, a combination that meteorologists warn could produce isolated heavy falls and trigger widespread disruption.
🌧️ Press Release| More rain-wind/thundershower predicted in upper and central parts during the weekend | August 21 (night) to August 23|#PMD #WeatherUpdate #PakistanWeather #RainAlert #HeavyRain #Thunderstorm #Monsoon #Islamabad #Punjab #KhyberPakhtunkhwa #GilgitBaltistan pic.twitter.com/NYdfrhtkp5
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) August 21, 2026
The new spell of rain-wind/thundershowers is expected to lash Kashmir, particularly Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpur, with occasional gaps that offer little respite to already inundated communities.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the forecast covers an extensive list of districts including Dir, Chitral, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Swabi, Shangla, Battagram, Buner, Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Karak, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu and Waziristan, a region still recovering from devastating floods in recent years.
Read Also: Pakistan to Receive Sixth Monsoon Wave from August 17 to 21
Punjab and Islamabad brace for impact
The federal capital and upper Punjab remain on high alert, with heavy rainfall expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang, Attock, Sialkot, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib during the day.
The PMD has warned that the downpours could trigger urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore, cities where drainage systems are already overwhelmed by the season’s relentless rains.
More rain-wind/thundershower predicted in upper and central parts during the weekend.
Isolated heavy rainfall may occur in vulnerable areas, with risks of urban flooding and landslides. Stay alert and follow PMD updates.#PMD #PakistanWeather #WeatherForecast #Monsoon2026 pic.twitter.com/VVOyLCJBCx— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) August 21, 2026
Other districts including Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Noorpur, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Pakpattan and Dera Ghazi Khan are also expected to receive rain-wind/thundershowers.
Gilgit-Baltistan under threat
Northern areas are not spared from the impending weather system, with rain-wind/thundershower expected in Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, regions particularly vulnerable to flash floods and landslides.
Read Also: Pakistan Monsoon Death Toll Rises to 159 as Heavy Rains Trigger Flash Floods and Landslides
Balochistan and Sindh largely spared
Most parts of Sindh and Balochistan are expected to remain hot and humid, offering some relief to the southern provinces. However, isolated rain-wind/thundershower is likely in Musakhel, Barkhan, Zhob, Kalat and Khuzdar on Saturday.
Multiple warnings issued
The Met Office has issued a series of urgent warnings for the affected regions:
- Urban flooding is expected in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Lahore
- Flash flooding may occur in local streams and nullahs in Kashmir, Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad and Rawalpindi
- Landslides are likely in hilly areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat and Kashmir
Glacier Lake Monitoring Update: Air Temperatures Observed Across Glaciated Valleys on August 21, 2026 at 2000 PST.#PMD #GLOFMonitoring #GlacierLakeMonitoring #PakistanWeather #AirTemperatureUpdate #GlaciatedValleys #GilgitBaltistan #KhyberPakhtunkhwa #NorthernPakistan pic.twitter.com/EtalHxJtbH
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) August 21, 2026
Authorities on high alert
The PMD has advised all concerned authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation, as the death toll continues to rise and thousands remain displaced across the country.
Latest Level of Reservoirs (August 21, 2026)
Source: Dam Authorities#PMD #DamUpdate #ReservoirUpdate #PakistanDams #WaterLevelReport #TarbelaDam #ManglaDam #KhanpurDam #SimlyDam #RawalDam #WaterResources #DamSafety #hydrologyreport pic.twitter.com/38rY8UzRzI— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) August 21, 2026
Tourists and travelers have been specifically warned to exercise extreme caution during the forecast period, while farmers have been advised to manage crop activities according to weather conditions and protect their livestock.
Read Also: Pakistan on Flood Alert as Torrential Rains Lash Northern Areas
The PMD has urged the public to stay informed through daily weather updates available on its official website and the Pak Weather application.
