Several sections of the Fairy Meadows Road in Chilas have become impassable due to torrential rains and landslides, as Pakistan prepares for another round of monsoon downpours starting July 28. Numerous parts of this crucial road are blocked because of landslides triggered by intense rainfall in the area, leading to the suspension of aerial operations due to adverse weather conditions. The Deputy Commissioner Chilas has confirmed that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has deployed teams to the site, and search operations for missing individuals are being jointly conducted by the Pakistan Army and other relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial tourism department has issued an advisory warning about potential flash floods in popular tourist destinations between July 21 and 29. Tourists are strongly advised to avoid non-essential travel and to contact the 1422 tourism helpline before visiting any location. In a separate rescue effort, the Kaghan Development Authority successfully evacuated over 500 stranded tourists after a cloudburst caused a landslide, blocking the road to Lake Saif-ul-Malook. Local authorities reported that over 117 vehicles were trapped, but all tourists were brought to safety.
Widespread Rainfall and Flood Warnings: A National Overview
In Balochistan, a tragic incident on Friday saw four children drown in a stream in the Duki district, bringing the total provincial death toll to 20 since the onset of the monsoon season. The casualties include 11 children, 5 men, and 4 women. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has reported that at least 66 houses have been damaged across the region since June 28, and eight other individuals have sustained injuries.
Separately, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecasted another spell of monsoon rains across the country from July 28 to 31. They have urged provincial and district authorities to implement immediate precautionary measures. According to the Met Office, weak monsoon currents continue to influence the upper and central regions and are expected to strengthen as a fresh westerly system approaches on July 29. Widespread rainfall, with occasional heavy showers and thunderstorms, is anticipated in many areas.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, rain is likely to persist until July 31 in areas such as Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Rawalakot, Hunza, and Skardu. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Swat, Dir, Mansehra, and Peshawar, is also expected to receive rain from July 28 to 31. In Punjab and Islamabad, heavy showers are predicted for Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Murree, and Galiyat, with southern Punjab – including Multan and Bahawalpur – likely to experience rainfall between July 29 and 31.
Balochistan’s northeastern and southern regions will see thundershowers and isolated heavy falls from July 29, with areas like Quetta, Zhob, Khuzdar, and Lasbela expected to be affected. In Sindh, generally hot and humid conditions will prevail, but areas including Dadu, Tharparkar, and Sukkur may receive rain on July 30 and 31.
The PMD has issued warnings of potential flash floods in hilly streams of KP, northeast Balochistan, Punjab, and Kashmir, as well as urban flooding in low-lying parts of Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Sialkot. Landslides and mudslides may disrupt traffic in Murree, Galiyat, Gilgit-Baltistan, and other hilly areas. Rescue, civil defense, and municipal departments have been instructed to remain fully prepared, particularly in landslide-prone zones and areas with vulnerable housing. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, flooded roads, and exposed electrical infrastructure.
