Pakistan Braces for Heavy Rains, Urban Flooding as Monsoon Intensifies on September 4-5

PMD forecasts widespread downpours, flash floods, and landslides across upper parts of country from Friday to Saturday.  

September 3, 2026 at 8:42 PM
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a severe weather alert for September 4 and 5, forecasting widespread rain and thunderstorms across the country’s upper regions, with warnings of urban flooding, flash floods, and landslides in vulnerable areas as monsoon currents intensify.

According to the advisory issued on Thursday, a strong westerly wave is expected to strengthen over the coming days, combining with penetrating monsoon currents to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Upper Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir.

The downpours are expected to continue through Sunday, raising alarms for low-lying communities and hilly terrains.

The PMD has specifically warned that heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday could cause urban flooding in major cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Lahore. Authorities have urged residents in these areas to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel during the peak rainfall period.

Flash floods and landslides pose serious threat

The weather department has cautioned that intense precipitation may trigger flash flooding in local streams and nullahs across Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat, the Pothohar region, and Islamabad-Rawalpindi.

Additionally, landslides are expected in the hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galiyat, and Kashmir, potentially disrupting road networks and isolating communities.

“Citizens in vulnerable areas should exercise extreme caution. Heavy to very heavy falls are expected in isolated locations, which could lead to dangerous conditions,” a PMD official stated.

Regional forecast for September 4

Islamabad & Rawalpindi: Partly cloudy weather with rain-wind and thundershowers, accompanied by isolated heavy to very heavy falls, is expected in the capital and surrounding areas.

Read Also: Heavy Rains Expose Pakistan’s Twin Cities’ Infrastructure as One Dead, 60 Rescued

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Rain-wind and thundershowers are likely across the province, including Dir, Swat, Shangla, Chitral, Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohat, Bannu, and Waziristan, with isolated heavy to very heavy falls during the period.

Punjab: Upper Punjab districts including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Lahore, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Faisalabad are expected to receive rain-wind and thundershowers with isolated heavy to very heavy falls during night and morning hours.

Light to moderate rain is also expected in Noorpur Thal, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, and Dera Ghazi Khan during evening and night.

Sindh & Balochistan: Hot and humid weather is expected in most districts, with partly cloudy conditions and drizzle likely along coastal areas, including Karachi.

However, rain-wind and thundershowers are expected in Zhob, Musakhel, Barkhan, and Khuzdar during evening and night.

Kashmir & Gilgit-Baltistan: Cloudy weather with rain-wind and thundershowers, including isolated heavy to very heavy falls, is expected across both regions.

Authorities on high alert

The PMD has urged provincial disaster management authorities and local administrations to remain on high alert and take precautionary measures to mitigate the impact of anticipated heavy rainfall.

Read Also: Pakistan’s Monsoon Death Toll Reaches 164 as Fresh Downpours Threaten More Devastation

Citizens have been advised to stay informed through official weather updates and avoid venturing near flooded waterways or landslide-prone slopes.

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