ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is bracing for another spell of heavy monsoon rains as devastating floods and landslides have killed nearly 400 people, mostly in the northern areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Authorities have warned of further heavy downpours in the coming days, raising fears of urban flooding in major cities, swollen rivers, and more destruction in remote districts.
Weather forecast
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Sunday that strong monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are penetrating the country, with a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal moving westwards and intensifying activity. A westerly wave is also present, further aggravating conditions.
“Widespread rain-wind and thunderstorms, with scattered heavy to very heavy falls, are expected across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, northern Punjab and parts of Balochistan,” the PMD stated.
Heavy rains are forecast in districts including Peshawar, Swat, Mansehra, Charsadda, Nowshera and Dera Ismail Khan until at least Tuesday. Similar conditions are expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and other parts of Punjab.
The weather department has also warned of flash floods in mountain streams and landslides in hilly areas, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Flood death toll
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that nearly 400 people have died in rain and flood-related incidents so far, including 323 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 12 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 11 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Buner district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the worst affected, with over 200 deaths confirmed. Hundreds more have been injured, while nearly 340 houses have been damaged or destroyed, authorities said.
In its breakdown, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said 263 men, 29 women and 21 children had died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone, with 156 people injured.
The authority added that 336 houses had been damaged, including 160 completely destroyed.
NDMA briefing
NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik told reporters that several areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan remain cut off after landslides and flash floods damaged roads and bridges.
“Relief supplies and food will be provided in the affected districts. A search for missing persons is underway, and rehabilitation work is being prioritised in Buner, Bajaur and Battagram,” the NDMA chief said.
He maintained that losses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are part of the broader impacts of climate change. “As a nation, we will fight these climate changes together,” he said.
NDMA technical expert Dr Tayyab Shah confirmed that three more monsoon systems are approaching Pakistan, one from the Bay of Bengal and another from Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Kandahar regions.
NDMA General Manager Zahra Hassan warned that Tarbela Dam is at 98 percent capacity, raising the risk of flooding if levels rise further.
Provincial response
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur visited Buner on Sunday, where officials briefed him that over 5,000 houses across seven village councils had been damaged.
He announced Rs1.5 billion in immediate relief funds and vowed that every displaced family would be provided housing.
“It is not possible to compensate for the loss of life, but we will compensate for financial losses,” Gandapur said.
He also pledged strict action against encroachments and illegal constructions along water channels, which he blamed for worsening the devastation.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government has declared a relief emergency in eight districts and reported that 3,500 people have been rescued so far with the help of Pakistan Army units, civil defence volunteers and helicopters.
سیلاب اور لینڈ سلائیڈنگ کے باعث سڑکوں کی صورتحال
گلگت بلتستان میں سومرو پل، گانچھے، سالتورو پل، باغیچہ (سکردو) پل کو شدید نقصان؛ سفر سے مکمل گریز کریں۔
– جگلوٹ-سکردو روڈ : آمدورفت معطل۔
– دیان، تھلی بروق، کلٹی (غذر): راستے مکمل بند؛ سفر ممکن نہیں۔ pic.twitter.com/B5FrdtFmVp— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) August 16, 2025
Federal government and army support
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the NDMA to coordinate closely with provincial authorities and ensure urgent delivery of food, medicines and tents to flood-hit areas.
PM Sharif ordered aid supplies to be dispatched immediately and instructed officials to prioritise restoring communications infrastructure.
The Pakistan Army announced it would donate one day’s salary from all personnel to support rehabilitation efforts.
Additional troops have been deployed for rescue operations, and the Army has pledged over 600 tons of food rations for distribution among victims.
Emergency measures
The federal government has activated the 911 emergency helpline nationwide to provide rapid assistance during disasters, particularly in areas where mobile networks have been disrupted.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has set up a special control room at the Directorate General of Local Government to monitor floods and coordinate relief operations around the clock.
International condolences
World leaders have expressed solidarity with Pakistan. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to President Asif Ali Zardari, expressing grief over the loss of life and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry also offered heartfelt condolences, reaffirming support for Pakistan during “this time of grief.”
According to the NDMA, heavy rainfall is expected to continue until 22 August, with additional monsoon systems approaching afterwards.
Authorities have warned of urban flooding in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Islamabad, while districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir remain at high risk of flash floods and landslides.
Authorities have urged people in low-lying and vulnerable areas to evacuate immediately as relief and rescue operations intensify.
