Northern Pakistan Braces for Heavy Rain, Flash Floods from September 25 to 30

Westerly weather system expected to intensify, putting mountainous regions and major cities at risk of flash and urban flooding.

September 25, 2026 at 9:09 PM
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is bracing for another spell of severe weather as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms and possible flash and urban flooding across several parts of the country from September 25 to 30.

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) warned that a westerly weather system is expected to intensify on September 25 and 26, increasing the likelihood of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and sudden rises in seasonal streams and waterways, particularly in mountainous regions.

Northern Areas face flash-flood risk

The warning covers upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Islamabad, where intense rainfall could trigger flash floods in vulnerable mountain valleys, streams and nullahs.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, Astore, Skardu, Roundu, Ghanche and Shigar have been identified as vulnerable to flooding. In AJK, the risk areas include Neelum Valley, Haveli, Poonch and Sudhanoti.

Several districts of KP are also at risk, including Swat, Bajaur, Dir, Kohistan, Kolai-Palas, Battagram and Mansehra.

Heavy rain may trigger urban flooding

The NEOC has also forecast heavy thunderstorms across parts of the Potohar region, Punjab and KP through September 30, with hailstorms possible at some locations.

Major population centres and surrounding districts could experience intense rainfall and urban flooding. The areas identified include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Murree, Galiyat, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, Layyah, Sialkot, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Okara, Sahiwal and Jhang.

In KP, the alert extends to Dir, Swat, Buner, Malakand, Shangla, Battagram, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Nowshera, Swabi, Mardan, Peshawar, Kurram, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan.

The NDMA’s latest online alerts also show severe and extreme rainfall and flood warnings for parts of KP, GB and AJK, underscoring the need for heightened preparedness during the forecast period.

Authorities told to prepare emergency response

The NDMA has directed relevant authorities to make advance arrangements in areas considered vulnerable to flooding and other weather-related hazards.

Emergency response teams, machinery and other essential resources have been ordered to be pre-positioned in potentially affected locations, while authorities have been advised to continuously monitor rainfall, streams, nullahs and other waterways.

Read Also: Pakistan Braces for More Rain as Authorities Warn of Floods and Landslides

The public has also been urged to avoid crossing mountain torrents, streams and roads submerged by floodwater, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.

The latest alert comes as Pakistan’s disaster authorities continue monitoring multiple weather-related risks across the country’s northern and upper regions.

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