The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued a flood warning following forecasts from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) for continued wet weather in various parts of the province. In its weather advisory, the provincial body stated that today’s downpours are likely to cause local streams and rivers to swell, with a risk of flooding in districts including Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, and Abbottabad. It added that persistent rain could also cause landslides in mountainous areas, threatening to block roads and cut off remote communities.
The PDMA noted that low-lying areas of Peshawar, Nowshera, and Mardan may also experience urban flooding. The authority warned that strong winds and heavy showers could damage fragile structures such as mud houses, walls, electricity poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels.
Local administrations, police, and rescue services have been placed on high alert. The public and tourists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from riverbanks, and remain updated to prevent any accidents.
In its forecast, the PMD also warned that widespread heavy rains could trigger flash floods and landslides in several parts of the country over the next 24 hours. The forecast predicts that intense downpours may cause flooding in local streams and rivers across Chitral, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Nowshera, Swabi, and Mardan. Heavy showers are also expected in Murree and the Galliyat region.
Meanwhile, in Dera Ismail Khan, powerful winds and torrential rain brought down trees and electricity lines, causing power outages in many areas. Rescue officials reported that roof collapses in different localities led to at least seven deaths and dozens of injuries.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Faraz Mughal expressed deep sadness over the loss of life in Dera Ismail Khan due to the storms and heavy rain. He stated that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has directed the district administration and rescue services to remain on high alert. An emergency has been declared in hospitals across Dera Ismail Khan to provide immediate medical aid to the injured. Mughal stressed that rescue and power restoration teams are working at the affected sites, and the provincial government has pledged all possible relief for those impacted. He urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and take precautionary measures, adding that the chief minister is personally monitoring the situation.
Separately, in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, hours of downpour triggered flash floods in streams and drains. The Bhara Kahu area was submerged, with water entering shops and houses while vehicles were left stranded. Several hiking trails in the Margalla Hills, including Trails 2, 3, 4, 5, and the one behind Saidpur village, were closed for public safety.
The Met Office’s forecast for other parts of the country indicates that heavy downpours are likely in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, north-eastern Punjab, Kashmir, and Dera Ghazi Khan, which could cause seasonal waterways to overflow. The national forecaster also warned that low-lying areas in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Peshawar, Nowshera, and Mardan may also face waterlogging.
In Punjab, the provincial PDMA has raised concerns about rising water levels in the Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej, and Jhelum rivers. The authority warned that flooding is possible in the northern and north-eastern districts, noting that the Sutlej is already flowing at a high level near Ganda Singh Wala and is expected to remain elevated for at least 48 hours.
Rescue teams have been deployed to sensitive areas, and announcements are being made through mosques and local authorities to alert at-risk communities. People have been advised to contact the PDMA helpline 1129 in case of emergencies. According to the advisory, rivers including the Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej, and Jhelum could experience medium to high levels of flooding, with a risk of flash floods in the northern and north-eastern districts. Instructions have been issued to ensure all emergency arrangements are in place, with rescue units already deployed to vulnerable areas.
